Question

what is the role of saliva in the digestion of food ?

Answer 1

This lubricative function of saliva allows the food bolus to be passed easily from the mouth into the esophagus. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, also called ptyalin, which is capable of breaking down starch into simpler sugars such as maltose and dextrin that can be further broken down in the small intestine.

Answer 2

Saliva contains salivary amylase enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars like maltose .

Saliva keeps the mouth cavity clean and moistens the food that help in chewing and breaking down the big pieces of food into smaller ones .