Starch Synthase Analysis Of Sago Palm (Metroxylon Sagu Rottb.) Different Growth Stages

Sago palms (Metroxvlon sago Rottb. ) are high in starch and have the potential to sustain the high demand food and biofuel industry. Studies on sago starch synthase are crucial for better understanding of sago starch for development and improvement. Five different extraction buffer, and four protein concentration methods were tested to optimize the extraction of starch synthase prior to starch synthase assay. GBSS buffer (Denyer et a!., 1995) was found to be the best extraction buffer. Ultrafiltration and ammonium sulphate precipitation at 80 %(w/v) were found to be most suitable to concentrate the crude enzyme extracted. Sago trunk of Buhul growth stage was determinded to contain highest protein. Three distinct bands were observed on 9% SDS-PAGE; -4OkD, -3lkD and -14.4kD and several faint bands. However, the starch synthase assay was unable to be conducter due incomplete materials