High-Throughput Molecular Rotor Viscometry Assay

• US 20120094867A1
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Danisco US, Inc. (International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Danisco US, Inc. (International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lee, Sang-Kyu, Ramer, Sandra W., Toppozada, Amr R.
• Application Number:
  US13/320,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20120094867A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 506/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 11/14 by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane G01N11/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2011/008 optical properties

Abstract

Described are compositions and methods related to determining the rate of viscosity change in a suspension in real time. The compositions and methods have a broad range of applications, including the measurement of amylase-mediated liquefaction of a starch suspension.

Claims

1. A method for determining the change in viscosity of a suspension in real time, comprising:

adding to a suspension containing a substrate capable of being converted to a product a molecular rotor molecule whose fluorescence quantum yield is dependent on the free-volume of the suspension and an enzyme or chemical catalyst capable of converting the substrate to the product; and

measuring the fluorescence of the molecular rotor molecule in the suspension in real time;

wherein conversion of the substrate to the product changes the free-volume of the suspension as determined by measuring the fluorescence of the molecular rotor molecule, and wherein the change in the free-volume of the suspension correlates with the change in viscosity of the solution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the change in viscosity of the suspension is used to determine the rate of conversion of the substrate to the product.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the change in viscosity of the suspension is used to determine the amount of substrate converted to product.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the suspension is a starch suspension.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the suspension is a corn amylopectin suspension.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is a carbohydrate processing enzyme.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the enzyme is an amylase.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conversion of the substrate to the product is the amylase-mediated liquefaction of a starch suspension to produce lower molecular weight dextrans.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the molecular rotor molecule is 9-(2-carboxy-2-cyanovinyl)-julolidine (CCVJ).

10. The method of claim 1, performed in a multi-well format.