Amylase

Amylase is an enzyme that helps in the digestion of dietary carbohydrates. It is secreted mainly by the pancreas and also by the salivary glands. The Amylase Test measures the amount of amylase in the blood. Amylase is a special protein or enzyme which is produced by your pancreas and salivary glands. It helps in the digestion of carbohydrates. The salivary glands secrete a small amount of amylase degradation, the complex carbohydrate to a simple one like glucose in the mouth. Typically, the pancreas produces the amylase before being released into the duodenal part of the small intestine. The enzyme amylase is categorized into three parts denoted as alpha, beta and gamma. Alpha-amylase: An alpha-amylase is called ptyalin which is produced by salivary glands. It is mixed with food in the mouth and acts on starch and carbohydrates. The action of ptyalin is continued for several hours in the stomach. The pH of alpha-amylase is 6.7-7.0. Beta-amylase: it is generally present in yeast, moulds, bacteria and plants, especially in the seeds. These are the prominent factors of a mixture called diastase, used to remove starchy sizing agents from essences and conversion of cereal grains into fermentable sugars. Beta-amylase has a leading pH of 4.0-5.0. Gamma-amylase: These enzymes are important for breaking down specific types of glycosides under acidic conditions. Gamma-amylase has an optimum pH of 3.0. There are two forms of amylase present in the body. P-amylase: It is a form of amylase made mainly in the pancreas. It can be increased in the blood when found inflamed or diseased pancreas. S-amylase: It is a form of amylase made mainly by the salivary gland. It can be increased in the blood when found inflamed or diseased salivary glands. An amylase blood test can determine a disease or injury to the pancreas by measuring the amount of amylase in the body. A small amount of amylase in the blood is normal, but an increase and decrease in blood amylase level can mean that you are suffering from an infection of the pancreas, a disorder of the pancreas or another medical condition related to the pancreas.