ptyalin

American  

[tahy-uh-lin] / ˈtaɪ ə lɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

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

---

ptyalin British  

/ ˈtaɪəlɪn /

noun

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

---

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.

---

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

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)

It is alkaline and contains a ferment called ptyalin.

From The Chemistry of Food and Nutrition by Duncan, A. W.

The ptyalin starts starch digestion, but it does not work in the presence of acid.

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

This important function is due to an organic ingredient of the saliva called ptyalin.

From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Hutchison, Joseph Chrisman