(i) Salivary amylase or ptyalin hydrolyses starch into maltose isomaltose and α-dextrins.
Starch \(\underset{Amylase}{\stackrel{Salivery}{\rightarrow}}\) maltose + Isomaltose + α− dextrins
(ii) Bicarbonate ions in saliva neutralise the acids in food. The lysozyme present in saliva act as anti-microbial agent and prevent infection by the microbes.