What enzyme is responsible for converting trehalose into glucose during carbohydrate digestion?

The enzyme responsible for converting trehalose into glucose during carbohydrate digestion is trehalase. Trehalose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules linked by an α,α-1,1-glycosidic bond. Trehalase specifically cleaves this bond, facilitating the hydrolysis of trehalose into its component monosaccharides, which can be readily absorbed by the intestine.

This enzymatic action is crucial because many organisms, including humans, may consume trehalose in their diet, and the efficient breakdown of this sugar ensures that glucose is available for energy and metabolic processes. Without trehalase, trehalose would remain undigested in the gastrointestinal tract.

In contrast, amylase acts on starches and glycogen, lactase targets lactose, and maltase breaks down maltose into glucose. Each of these enzymes has its specific substrates, highlighting the specialized roles that different enzymes play in carbohydrate digestion.