What enzymes are in saliva?

There are several others found in smaller amounts, but these enzymes highlight the main digestive and antibacterial functions of saliva. Amylase initiates the digestion of long chains of sugars found in bread and crackers known as starches into smaller maltose sugar molecules.

What is the function of salivary acid phosphatase in saliva?

Saliva contains other minor enzymes, like salivary acid phosphatase, which frees up attached phosphoryl groups from other molecules. Like amylase, it helps with the digestion process.

What is the function of saliva?

Saliva also contains lysozymes. Lysozymes are enzymes that help to kill bacteria, viruses and other foreign agents in the body. These enzymes thus perform antimicrobial functions.

What is the most abundant protein in saliva?

19.  α- Amylase  Salivary amylase is a highly abundant protein in saliva. Highest conc. was found in saliva of parotid and palatine minor salivary glands.  Most widely known function-endoglicosidase activity.

What is the function of salivary kallikrein?

Salivary kallikrein breaks down kininogen into bradykinin, a vasodilator. Bradykinin helps to control blood pressure in the body. It causes blood vessels to dilate or expand and causes blood pressure to be lowered. Typically, only trace amounts of salivary kallikrein are found in saliva.

What is the difference between lipase and kallikrein?

Lingual lipase is one of the lipase enzymes that break down fats and is specifically associated with triacylglycerols such as the ones found in milk. It is more commonly found in infants and is less common as humans age. Kallikrein is found in trace amounts in saliva and is responsible for breaking down specific…

What is the function of lingual lipase in saliva?

Lingual lipase helps infants digest the fats in their mother’s milk. As we get older, the relative proportion of lingual lipase in saliva decreases as other parts of our digestive system help with fat digestion. Saliva contains other minor enzymes, like salivary acid phosphatase, which frees up attached phosphoryl groups from other molecules.