page_title: Maltose
section_title: Sources and absorption
hierarchical_section_title: Maltose / Sources and absorption
caption_attribution_description: English: Maltose syrup
context_page_description: Maltose, also known as maltobiose or malt sugar, is a disaccharide formed from two units of glucose joined with an α bond. In the isomer isomaltose, the two glucose molecules are joined with an α bond. Maltose is the two-unit member of the amylose homologous series, the key structural motif of starch. When beta-amylase breaks down starch, it removes two glucose units at a time, producing maltose. An example of this reaction is found in germinating seeds, which is why it was named after malt. Unlike sucrose, it is a reducing sugar.
context_section_description: Maltose is a component of malt, a substance obtained in the process of allowing grain to soften in water and germinate. It is also present in highly variable quantities in partially hydrolysed starch products like maltodextrin, corn syrup and acid-thinned starch.
  In humans, maltose is broken down by various maltase enzymes, providing two glucose molecules which can be further processed: either broken down to provide energy, or stored as glycogen. The lack of the sucrase-isomaltase enzyme in humans causes sucrose intolerance, but because there are four different maltase enzymes, complete maltose intolerance is extremely rare.
caption: Maltose syrup
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