Which enzymes added by bees aid in breaking down complex sugars in honey?
Answer
Diastase and invertase
The transformation of nectar into honey involves significant enzymatic activity performed by the honey bees themselves. Among the trace elements present in honey, specific enzymes are introduced during the processing phase to modify the collected substances. Diastase and invertase are explicitly named as enzymes added by the bees whose function is to assist in the hydrolysis, or breaking down, of larger, more complex sugar molecules into simpler, more readily usable forms. This enzymatic action is a crucial step in converting watery floral secretions into the stable, concentrated food source that constitutes mature honey.
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