Name an enzyme present in the saliva of human beings?

The primary enzyme in human saliva is salivary amylase, also known as ptyalin. Its main function is to break down complex carbohydrates (starches) into simpler sugar molecules, making food easier to digest.

• Starchy foods such as potatoes, rice, and wheat contain large carbohydrate molecules called amylose and amylopectin.
• Salivary amylase hydrolyzes these molecules into maltose, a disaccharide.
• Maltose is further broken down into glucose, which is the body’s primary energy source.

By initiating digestion in the mouth itself, salivary amylase helps the body utilize nutrients more efficiently and prevents starch from accumulating on teeth, thus supporting oral health.

Additionally, digestion continues in the small intestine with the help of pancreatic amylase, secreted by the pancreas, which acts on partially digested starches from the mouth.

Apart from salivary amylase, saliva contains a few other enzymes in smaller amounts:

• Salivary Kallikrein: Breaks down kininogen (a large protein) into bradykinin, a compound that acts as a vasodilator to regulate blood pressure.
• Lingual Lipase: Catalyzes the breakdown of dietary fats (triglycerides) into glycerides and fatty acids, aiding lipid digestion. However, the activity of lingual lipase decreases with age.