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Saliva on a baby's lips. Saliva (commonly referred to as spit or drool) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth.In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as lipase and amylase), and antimicrobial agents (such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes).
In animals, it is a major digestive enzyme, and its optimum pH is 6.7–7.0. [3] In human physiology, both the salivary and pancreatic amylases are α-amylases. The α-amylase form is also found in plants, fungi (ascomycetes and basidiomycetes) and bacteria .
Endohydrolysis of (1→4)-α-D-glucosidic linkages in polysaccharides containing three or more (1→4)-α-linked D-glucose units. It is the major form of amylase found in humans and other mammals. [3] It is also present in seeds containing starch as a food reserve, and is secreted by many fungi. It is a member of glycoside hydrolase family 13.
Enzymes are critical to our survival, but human enzymes have different properties than enzymes found in the things we eat, including all plant-based and animal foods.
As a result, saliva allows some digestion to occur before the food reaches the stomach. [30] Taste: [31] Saliva acts as a solvent in which solid particles can dissolve and enter the taste buds through oral mucosa located on the tongue. These taste buds are found within foliate and circumvallate papillae, where minor salivary glands secrete ...
In the laboratory the source of the hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) usually is the reaction of glucose with oxygen in the presence of the enzyme glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4) that also takes place in saliva. Glucose, in turn, can be formed from starch in the presence of the saliva enzyme amyloglucosidase (EC 3.2.1.3).
Category:EC 1.13.11 (With incorporation of two atoms of oxygen) 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (EC 1.13.11.27) Category:EC 1.13.12 (With incorporation of one atom of oxygen (internal monooxygenases or internal mixed function oxidases)) Renilla-luciferin 2-monooxygenase EC 1.13.12.5; Cypridina-luciferin 2-monooxygenase EC 1.13.12.6
Saliva also contains a glycoprotein called haptocorrin which is a binding protein to vitamin B 12. [17] It binds with the vitamin in order to carry it safely through the acidic content of the stomach. When it reaches the duodenum, pancreatic enzymes break down the glycoprotein and free the vitamin which then binds with intrinsic factor.