How does maltase break maltose down in the small intestine?

In the small intestine, the enzyme maltase breaks down maltose—a disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules—through a chemical process known as hydrolysis.123

During this reaction, the maltase enzyme catalyzes the insertion of a water molecule at the specific point where the two glucose units are linked together. This action effectively disconnects the bond between the two sugar units, splitting the maltose molecule into two separate glucose molecules. Once broken down into these simpler units, the glucose can be efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream to serve as an energy source for the body.312