Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzyme break down food particles into smaller soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Protease
Protease enzyme break down proteins into amino acids. Pepsin is a powerful protease found in the stomach that works best in a very acidic environment. Other protease enzymes are produced by the pancreas and function at a pH closer to 7.
Lipase
Lipase enzymes are produced by the pancreas and break down Lipids into Monoglycerides (a glycerol molecule with a fatty acid attached) and fatty acids.
Amylase
Amylase is an enzyme that is produced both in our saliva and by the pancreas. It breaks down carbohydrates into sugars.
Cellulase
Cellulose, just like starch, is also made up of a long chain of sugar molecules. However, because they are linked together differently (the bond is in a different position) amylase cannot break down cellulose. Many bacteria produce an enzyme called cellulase that can break down cellulose.