Which enzyme in saliva starts the breakdown of carbohydrates in the mouth?

1. Chemical digestion begins in the mouth with the enzymes carried in saliva. 2. Salivary amylase is the enzyme that initiates the breakdown of carbohydrates there. 3. Lingual lipase is also released in the mouth, but it acts on triglycerides rather than carbohydrates. 4. Gastric lipase comes from the stomach and pancreatic amylase from the pancreas, so neither works in the mouth. _Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 23 "The Digestive System", section 23.3 The Mouth, Pharynx, and Esophagus_