amylase
Enzyme that breaks down starch into a complex sugar that can be used in the body. It occurs widely in both plants and animals. In humans it is found in saliva and in the pancreatic digestive juices that drain into the alimentary canal.
Starch is an important food for humans and is found in plants such as potatoes and in wheat grains. It is made of large and insoluble molecules, but under the action of amylase produces sugars that are soluble – these can be absorbed by the body.
Human amylase has an optimum pH of 7.2–7.4. Like most enzymes amylase is denatured by temperatures above 60°C.
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