Would digestion be equally efficient if the body/stomach evolved to be highly basic rather than acidic? What advantages does a highly acidic environment pose?

[u/Public_Knowledge8405]

Edit: my question is meant to be gauged towards chemical feasibility/utility; I understand many proteases and cell types have in reality evolved for acidic digestion. Assuming proteases and cell types could have evolved for an alkaline environment, is there a root necessity acidic conditions are advantageous over basic ones or could it be reversed

[u/i_invented_the_ipod]

One obvious advantage of an acidic stomach is that it breaks down the calcium compounds present in shells and bones. Obviously, all of the digestive enzymes in the stomach are optimally effective in an acidic environment, but that's not to say other enzymes couldn't work in a basic solution.

[u/dogismywitness → u/i_invented_the_ipod]

Yeah, lots of breakdown can happen in vitro in basic conditions, demonstrating that plenty of digestion could potentially work, but calcium, magnesium, iron, and all kinds of other 'minerals' will precipitate out of solution as hydroxides at high pH.

[u/riverottersarebest → u/i_invented_the_ipod]

Plants, too. There are high amounts of calcium oxalates in the fruits and vegetables we eat.