What Is the Function of Salivary Amylase in the Mouth
Salivary alpha-amylase sAA is one of the major enzymes in the oral cavity. Salivary amylase is a glucose-polymer cleavage enzyme that is produced by the salivary glands. Digestion Of Carbohydrates In Human Body Online Science Notes Salivary amylase is an enzyme in the mouth that initiates the digestion of carbohydrates in the form of starches by catalyzing the hydrolysis of polysaccharides into disaccharides. . The enzyme salivary amylase is most active at pH 68. Stein Carter an associate professor of biology at the University of Cincinnati. However the main site for carbohydrate digestion is the small intestine. Salivary amylase is the primary enzyme in saliva. The tongue can detect the sugars the amylase produces which is the reason why starches taste slightly sweet as a person chews. Salivary amylase breaks starch into a disaccharide called maltose. Learn the different types and structures of salivary a...