BLOCKED P-NITROPHENYL-ALPHA-D-MALTOHEPTAOSIDE

This product is useful as a substrate for determination of α-amylase activity. This oligosaccharide contains a blocking group at the non-reducing end, which prevents exoglucosidase from attacking the substrate molecule. Amylase can still cleave the substrate internally, which releases short p-nitrophenol-linked (pNP-linked) oligosaccharides. After removal of the blocking group, auxiliary enzymes such as glucoamylase and maltase can release the chromogen. Glucoamylase accelerates this reaction via action on the longer chains. Maltase then separates these longer chains from the pNP moiety.