| abstract |
The present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide variant, characterized in that it has α-amylase activity and at least one altered characteristic that improves enzyme performance, wherein the altered characteristic is selected from the group consisting of increased reduction of viscosity, increased amylolytic activity, increased thermostability, increased stability to pH, and increased stain removal, characterized in that it comprises: i) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a modification at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of 9, 68, 88, 126, 139, 158, 192, 214 and 257 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; or ii) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 92% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, and a modification at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of 9, 68, 88, 126, 139,158 , 192, 214 and 257 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification produces a polypeptide variant that has a performance index (PI) greater than 1.0 for at least one altered performance-enhancing trait of the enzyme. |