Amylases digest starch into smaller molecules, ultimately yielding maltose, which in turn is cleaved into two glucose molecules by maltase. Starch comprises a significant portion of the typical human diet for most nationalities.

How do you know if amylase breaks down starch?

Add the amylase to the starch in the 0°C water bath. Every minute remove a sample of the starch-amylase solution and add it to a drop of iodine on the spotting tile. Repeat step 8 until the iodine no longer changes colour - meaning that there is no starch present, in other words the amylase has broken all starch down.

Why is amylase needed to break down starch?

The Role of the Amylase Enzyme

The end goal of amylase is to break down carbohydrates into simple sugars that the body can use for energy, and this starts in the mouth. As food is chewed and mixed with saliva, amylase starts working to break down food into smaller molecules (1).