Question

What is the name for the chemical found in saliva that breaks down starch into sugar?

Answer 1

It's an enzyme called amylase.

Explanation:

Amylase
-breaks down the complex starch to simple sugars that eventually becomes individual glucose units.
-is produced by the pancreas and the glands that produces saliva.

Here is a video of an enzyme demonstration I like to share with my students. The video shows how an enzyme (salivary amylase) present in our saliva (spit) can aid in the process of digestion by acting on starches present in the foods we eat.

Video from: Noel Pauller

Hope this was helpful!

Source for more info:
1.http://www.eng.umd.edu/~nsw/ench485/lab5.htm
2. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/the-health-benefits-of-amylase/