Enzymes of Human Saliva

Abstract

Human saliva was analyzed for hydrolytic enzyme systems. Present in whole saliva were acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, total esterases, cholinesterase, lipase, sulfatase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-D-galactosidase, lysozyme, and hyaluronidase. Parotid saliva contained only 6 of these enzymes, acid phosphatase, total esterases, cholinesterase, lipase, beta-glucuronidase, and lysozyme. Inocula of whole saliva incubated in beef brain-heart infusion broth established that the oral flora were capable of elaborating all but sulfatase and lysozyme. The range of activity and mean activity of the enzymes was determined for whole and parotid saliva.