Tags: Enzyme.
Amylase /ˈæmɪleɪz/ is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. Amylase is present in the saliva of humans and some other mammals where it begins the chemical process of digestion. Foods that contain large amounts of starch but little sugar such as rice and potato may acquire a slightly sweet taste as they are chewed because amylase degrades some of their starch into sugar.
