1. Using a double-lumen tube perfusion technique in vivo, the absorption rates of glucose from a glucose (200 mmol l−1) and from a maltose (100 mmol l−1) solution were measured in the proximal jejunum of six Zambian African adults. 2. In all of the subjects the rate of glucose absorption from the maltose solution was greater than that from the glucose solution. The difference between the mean rates was approximately 15% and is significant (P < 0.01).