α-Amylase Inhibitors from Cowpea Seeds

This work describes the first isolation and partial characterization of α-amylase inhibitors from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds. α-Amylase inhibitors were isolated using an affinity chromatography on Red Sepharose CL-6B. The bound Red Sepharose fraction was active against α-amylases from Bacillus sp., Aspergilus oryzae, V unguicu/ata seeds and also against α-amylases from Callosobruchus maculatus larvae.