β-galactosidase activity in saliva is associated with oral malodor

N. Sterer*, R. Bar Ness Greenstein, M. Rosenberg

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deglycosylation of oral mucins may be a critical initial step leading to their subsequent proteolysis and putrefaction. The present study was undertaken to determine whether activity in saliva of a major glycosidic enzyme (β-galactosidase) is associated with oral malodor in a group of 64 subjects. Enzyme activity was detected by the use of a chromogenic substrate (X-Gal) impregnated on paper discs. Malodor-related measurements included two odor judges' assessments of whole-mouth and tongue malodor, and volatile sulfide levels measured by a portable sulfide monitor (Interscan Corp.). β-galactosidase assay scores were significantly associated with both odor judges' scores for whole-mouth (p ≤ 0.002; Spearman) and tongue malodor (p ≤ 0.001; Spearman). β-galactosidase activity and sulfide monitor measurements both factored significantly into multiple regression equations for odor judge scores, yielding multiple r-values ranging from 0.47 (p = 0.0007) to 0.60 (p < 0.0001). Analysis of the data presented indicates that β-galactosidase activity in saliva is correlated with oral malodor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)182-185
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Dental Research
Volume81
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Glycoproteins
  • Oral malodor
  • Saliva
  • β-Galactosidase

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