Most‐probable distribution at enzyme depolymerization of polysaccharides

Several research groups have studied depolymerizing processes by enzyme cleavage using product distribution. Although only the shortest chain products can be measured experimentally, interpretation of much evidence requires an assumption of the nature of high polymer distribution. The present work analyzes the high polymer distribution of products on the basis of mathematical models suggested for the two most widespread α‐amylase action‐mechanisms. The most‐probable distribution was found to be distorted by hydrolysis only for the shortest chain products. The size of the distorted region is directly dependent on the characteristics of a specific enzyme. We studied the distribution of products for substrates of varying composition to show that it approaches the most‐probable distribution at depolymerization.