Salivary Amylase: Initiating Carbohydrate Digestion

Saliva contains salivary amylase (ptyalin), an enzyme that hydrolyzes α‑1,4‑glycosidic bonds in starches (amylose, amylopectin) and glycogen, yielding maltose, maltotriose, and α‑limit dextrins. This begins in the mouth and continues briefly in the stomach until gastric amylase inactivation by acid (pH <4). Pancreatic amylase and brush‑border enzymes (maltase, sucrase‑isomaltase) complete digestion to glucose in the small intestine.