The enzyme responsible for carbohydrate digestion in the small intestine is called amylase.
Amylase plays a crucial role in breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars. Specifically, salivary amylase, produced in the mouth, initiates the digestion process, but it is pancreatic amylase that continues to break down carbohydrates in the small intestine. This enzyme acts on starches, converting them into maltose and other disaccharides, which can then be further digested into monosaccharides like glucose.
As the partially digested carbohydrates move from the stomach to the small intestine, the pancreas releases amylase into the intestinal tract. The resulting simple sugars are then absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream, providing essential energy for the body.