What's a Carbohydrase Enzyme?

Carbohydrase is the name of a set of enzymes that catalyze 5 types of reactions, turning carbohydrates into simple sugars, from the large family of glycosidases. Carbohydrases are produced in the pancreas, salivary glands and small intestine, breaking down polysaccharides.

What is the function of Carbohydrase enzyme?

Carbohydrase enzymes break down starch into sugars. The saliva in your mouth contains amylase, which is another starch digesting enzyme. If you chew a piece of bread for long enough, the starch it contains is digested to sugar, and it begins to taste sweet.

What does Carbohydrase mean in biology?

: any of a group of enzymes (such as amylase) that promote hydrolysis or synthesis of a carbohydrate (such as a disaccharide)