Saliva is the fluid present in our mouth cavity and the saliva secreted into the oral cavity contains enzymes, salivary amylase and lysozyme. Salivary glands secrete amylase. The chemical process of digestion is initiated in the oral cavity by the hydrolytic action of the carbohydrate splitting enzyme, the salivary amylase. About 30 per cent of starch is hydrolysed by this enzyme (optimum pH 6.8) into a disaccharide known as maltose. Amylase is a digestive enzyme that acts on starch in food, breaking it down into smaller carbohydrate molecules. Without amylase, a person will be unable to digest starches and sugars in the mouth. However, the pancreas also secretes amylase which will continue the digestion and hence, digestion of starch will not stop completely.