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, which contains ptyalin, is secreted in the mouth.

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

This is done by the ferment ptyalin contained in saliva.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.

The saliva owes its peculiarity to one of its components, called ptyalin.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 34, August, 1860 by Various

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