Salivary amylase, also known as ptyalin, is an enzyme produced and secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth, particularly the parotid glands. It is one of the first enzymes involved in the process of digestion. Salivary amylase's primary function is to initiate the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, such as starch and glycogen, into simpler sugars, specifically maltose and smaller sugar molecules. This process is known as enzymatic hydrolysis.

Unit 2,

Reference:  Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary (7th Edition, Kindle Edition) Oxford University Press 2020 ISBN-13: 978-0198836629, p935