The word "amylolysis" is a term used in biology and chemistry to describe the breakdown of complex carbohydrates. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "amyl-" is pronounced /ˈæmɪl/ (a-mil), and it refers to starch. The second syllable "-o-" is pronounced /ˈəʊ/ (oh) and combines the first and the last syllables. The last syllable "-lysis" refers to the breaking down of molecules and is pronounced /ˈlaɪsɪs/ (lie-sis). Therefore, the pronunciation of "amylolysis" is /əˈmaɪləʊsɪs/ (uh-mye-loh-sis).
Amylolysis is a term derived from the combination of "amyl(o)-," which refers to starch, and "-lysis," which means to break down or decompose. It is a biological process that specifically pertains to the enzymatic degradation or hydrolysis of starch molecules. Starch, a polysaccharide, is one of the main sources of carbohydrates in various plant-based foods such as grains, vegetables, and tubers.
During amylolysis, starch is broken down into its constituent units, which are primarily glucose molecules. This is achieved through the action of enzymes called amylases, which are produced in various organisms including plants, animals, and some microorganisms. Amylases catalyze the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds that link the sugar units together in starch, resulting in the release of free glucose. The process of amylolysis is crucial for the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in higher organisms.
In industrial settings, amylolysis also plays a significant role in the production of various starch-derived products. The process can be harnessed to convert starch into useful products such as sweeteners, syrups, and fermentable sugars employed in the production of biofuels and alcoholic beverages. The control and optimization of amylolysis processes are areas of interest in fields such as food science, biochemistry, and biotechnology, as they have important implications for food product development, enzymatic engineering, and industrial applications.
The change of starch into sugar.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "amylolysis" has Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek words "amylon" meaning "starch" and "lysis" meaning "loosening" or "breakdown". Therefore, "amylolysis" refers to the process of breaking down or decomposing starch.