THE PTYALIN CONTENT OF HUMAN SALIVA IN OLD AGE

Abstract

The ptyalin content of fasting mixed saliva of a group of 12 young subjects (average 25 years) and of a group of 27 old persons (av. 81 yrs.) was estimated with the starch digestion end point method. Basal and stimulated secretion (diabetic gum) was employed. The basal salivary secretion of ptyalin in the old and young group was 0.3 and 10.2 units respectively, and the stimulated secretion was 0.3 and 8.2 units respectively. Therefore older people have a deficiency of starch digestion in the mouth and stomach and nearly the entire weight of starch digestion is thrown on the pancreas.