Amylaasi

Amylaasi is a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. These enzymes are commonly found in the digestive systems of humans and many other animals, where they play a crucial role in the breakdown of carbohydrates. Amylaasi is also produced by certain bacteria and fungi. There are two main types of amylaasi: alpha-amylaasi and beta-amylaasi, which differ in the way they break down the starch molecule. Alpha-amylaasi is found in saliva and pancreatic juice, and it breaks down starch into smaller polysaccharides and disaccharides. Beta-amylaasi, on the other hand, is primarily found in plants and breaks down starch into maltose, a disaccharide. The activity of amylaasi is influenced by factors such as pH and temperature. In humans, salivary amylaasi begins the digestive process in the mouth, while pancreatic amylaasi continues the breakdown in the small intestine, making the resulting sugars available for absorption. The presence and activity of amylaasi can be used in various diagnostic tests, for example, to detect pancreatic disorders.