amylase | Definition, Function | 食品添加物合法業者資訊網

Alpha-amylaseiswidespreadamonglivingorganisms.Inthedigestivesystemsofhumansandmanyothermammals,analpha-amylasecalledptyalinisproduced ...

amylase, any member of a class of enzymes[1] that catalyze the hydrolysis[2] (splitting of a compound[3] by addition of a water molecule) of starch[4] into smaller carbohydrate molecules such as maltose[5] (a molecule[6] composed of two glucose molecules). Three categories of amylases, denoted alpha, beta, and gamma, differ in the way they attack the bonds of the starch molecules.

Alpha-amylase[7] is widespread among living organisms. In the digestive[8] systems of humans and many other mammals, an alpha-amylase called ptyalin is produced by the salivary glands[9], whereas pancreatic amylase is secreted by the pancreas[10] into the small intestine[11]. The optimum pH of alpha-amylase is 6.7–7.0.

Ptyalin is mixed with food in the mouth, where it acts upon starches[12]. Although the food remain...