What is "disaccharidase"

n. (context enzyme English) Any of a class of glycoside hydrolases, enzymes that break down disaccharides into monosaccharides.

n. an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of disaccharides into monosaccharides

Disaccharidases are glycoside hydrolases, enzymes that break down certain types of sugars called disaccharides into simpler sugars called monosaccharides. In the human body, disaccharidases are made mostly in an area of the small intestine's wall called the brush border, making them members of the group of "brush border enzymes".

A genetic defect in one of these enzymes will cause a disaccharide intolerance, such as lactose intolerance or sucrose intolerance.