ptyalin
/ˈtaɪəlɪn/
noun
- An enzyme found in saliva that helps break down starches into sugars during digestion.
- Ptyalin begins breaking down the starch in bread as soon as you start chewing.
- The presence of ptyalin in saliva is the first step in digesting carbohydrates.
- Without enough ptyalin, digesting starchy foods like potatoes would be much harder.