A<unk>  (from Greek διαστασις, "separation") is any one of a group of enzymes which catalyses the breakdown of starch into maltose. It was the first type of enzyme discovered, in 1833, by Anselme Payen, who found it in malt solution. Today,<unk>  means any α-, β-, or γ-amylase (all of them hydrolases) that can break down carbohydrates.
The commonly used -ase suffix for naming enzymes was derived from the name<unk> .
Diastase
Elastase
Isozyme
Brinase
Clostridiopeptidase
Caspase
Pegaspargase
Phosphatase