ptyalin

American  

[tahy-uh-lin] / ˈtaɪ ə lɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme in the saliva that converts starch into dextrin and maltose.

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ptyalin British  

/ ˈtaɪəlɪn /

noun

1. biochem an amylase secreted in the saliva of man and other animals

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ptyalin Scientific  

/ tī′ə-lĭn /

1. An enzyme found in the saliva of humans and herbivorous animals that helps in the predigestion of starches. Ptyalin is a type of amylase.

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Etymology

Origin of ptyalin

1835–45; < Greek ptýal ( on ) spittle, saliva + -in ²

Example Sentences

With age, a digestive change definitely involving an enzyme occurs in the salivary glands : they secrete less ptyalin, an enzyme that converts starch into sugars.

From Time Magazine Archive

The saliva contains ptyalin, a ferment converting starch into sugar, and it also serves to moisten the food as it is ground up by the cheek teeth.

From Text Book of Biology, Part 1: Vertebrata by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

By finely dividing the food, it ensures its intimate contact with the digestive ferment, ptyalin.

From Text Book of Biology, Part 1: Vertebrata by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

This is due to the presence of the hydrochloric acid, the ptyalin being unable to act in an acid medium.

From Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools by Walters, Francis M.

The saliva, which contains ptyalin, is secreted in the mouth.

From Maintaining Health Formerly Health and Efficiency by Alsaker, R. L.