<P> It has a sweet taste, but is only about 30 - 60% as sweet as sugar, depending on the concentration . A 10% solution of maltose is 35% as sweet as sucrose . </P> <P> Maltose is a component of malt, a substance which is obtained in the process of allowing grain to soften in water and germinate . It is also present in highly variable quantities in partially hydrolysed starch products like maltodextrin, corn syrup and acid - thinned starch . </P> <P> In humans, maltose is broken down by various maltase enzymes, providing two glucose molecules which can be further processed: either broken down to provide energy, or stored as glycogen . The lack of the sucrase - isomaltase enzyme in humans causes sucrose intolerance, but because there are four different maltase enzymes, complete maltose intolerance is extremely rare . </P>

Maltose is broken down by maltase into two molecules of