"Is it true that the enzyme diastase converts starch into sugar? Don't honey
bees produce that enzyme in their hypopharyngeal glands?"

Interesting observation Dick.  Diastase is introduced by the bees to the
honey, in varying quantities dependent on honey composition.  It is
responsible for converting starch to dextrin's and sugars (dextrose, maltose
and glucose).  Diastase originates in the hypopharyngeal glands.
There seem to be conflicting theories, and you should possibly check it out
for yourself.
There is an article which might sway your decision out of favour of using
the starch, here is the website if you are interested.
http://www.beesource.com/pov/usda/abjfeb1977.htm
Hope this helps

Paul Collett
Makana Meadery/Department of Entomology, Rhodes University
South Africa
www.iqhilika.co.za
Apis mellifera capensis

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