Salivary Enzymes: Types, Functions, and Production Locations

There are three major salivary enzymes found in saliva:

*1) Amylase (also called ptyalin):*

_Function: _breaks down carbohydrates like starches into simple sugars, such as maltose and dextrin. Ptyalin begins the process of digestion in the mouth before food reaches the stomach.

_Location of Production: _ parotid glands located in the cheeks.

*2) Lingual lipase:

_Function: _ begins the digestion of fats and lipids. It is active in acidic conditions, working in conjunction with stomach acid.

_Location of Production:_ lingual serous glands on the tongue's dorsal surface

*3) Lysozyme (muramidase):*

_Function: _ an antimicrobial enzyme that can damage the cell walls of certain harmful bacteria, providing a basic level of defense against infections in the mouth.

_Location of Production:_ mixed saliva from all glands but mainly from parotid glands.