What are the special chemicals that break down food into liquid form in stomach?

The special chemicals that break down food into liquid form in the stomach are called gastric juices. Gastric juices are produced by the glands in the stomach lining and contain hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and mucus. Hydrochloric acid kills bacteria and creates an acidic environment that activates pepsin. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. Mucus protects the stomach lining from the acidic environment.