Dental caries is a multifactorial disease mainly caused by cariogenic bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity. Dental caries may cause demineralization of the tooth, cavitation, hypersensitivity, pulp inflammation, and even tooth loss if left untreated. Saliva secreted in the oral cavity can serve as a tool for identification of biomarkers for early detection of diseases. In the present study, differential expression of salivary proteins from 33 dental caries patients was compared with 10 control subjects. The unstimulated saliva was analyzed by 12% SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Gelatin and casein zymography was performed to check for protease activity. Also, salivary IgAs from both groups were compared by sandwich ELISA technique. Dental caries patient’s saliva showed decreased caseinolytic and increased gelatinolytic activity probably due to metalloproteases and cathepsins. Mean salivary levels of sIgA were also significantly higher ( p < 0.018 ) in dental caries saliva samples. The 2D electrophoresis profile of both the groups showed regions on gel with visually detectable alterations in protein expression. The present study is among the few initial studies in the locality for identification of protein differences in saliva from dental caries patients and has demonstrated a good potential to identify alterations. However, a large population-based analysis is required to validate these findings to be translated as a tool for indicative applications.

Background Oral cancer is considered a major public health problem due to its high mortality and morbidity rates. Survival rate of OSCC can be significantly improved by using non-invasive tool such as salivary biomarkers for detection of OSCC which is considered a promising approach. Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease, present in abundant quantities in lysosome of cells, tissues and different biological fluids. Increased expression of Cathepsin B was observed in many malignancies including oral cancer. The present study was designed to determine the salivary levels of Cathepsin B in different histological grades of OSCC. Method In this study, total no. of 80 research participants were enrolled which were divided into four groups. Each group comprised 20 participants, group 1 comprised 20 patients of OSCC (well differentiated), group 2 comprised 20 patients of OSCC (moderately differentiated), group 3 comprised 20 patients of OSCC (poorly differentiated) and group 4 comprised 20 healthy controls. Saliva sample was collected from all the four study groups and salivary Cathepsin B levels were analyzed by ELISA sandwich technique in duplicate. Results Salivary levels of Cathepsin B were significantly increased with p value (< 0.001) in patients of OSCC as compared to control group according to both histological grades and tumor size. Highest mean Cathepsin B levels in well differentiated OSCC followed by poorly differentiated OSCC and moderately differentiated OSCC were observed. Conclusion Results of the present study suggests that Cathepsin B has a great value as a salivary biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of OSCC in different histological grades. This will further lead to increase survival rate and improve the prognosis of OSCC.

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Introduction: The tooth decay or dental caries is a disease that results in imbalance in mineralization process of the tooth, cavitation and sensitivity as well as pulp infection that leading to inflammation and eventually tooth loose. Saliva which is in direct contact with the dentine, can serve as a medium for analysis of components or factors that show the difference in normal healthy and disease conditions. Methodology: Here, a biochemical analysis of individual saliva samples from healthy control and caries patients were carried out to see the differences in protein profiles. The unstimulated saliva samples were analyzed through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D gel), zymography and secretary IgA (sIgA) antibody ELISA procedure. Results: Differences were observed in individual samples not only in polymorphic band pattern on SDS-PAGE gels but also in activity of proteases in the saliva and the concentration of sIgA antibody. Conclusion: These were the initial results obtained from the study that was further optimized and evaluated with accuracy and reported elsewhere with statistical figures.

Introduction: Alpha amylases are starch hydrolyzing enzymes that possess high industrial demand. Various strategies have been adopted to enhance cost-effective enzyme production of which utilization of agro-industrial waste is very promising. Methodology: In this study two amylase producers Bacillus megaterium and Exiguobacterium auranticum were isolated and identified by 16sRNA sequencing their growth conditions were optimized via submerged fermentation using banana peels as carbon source. Bacillus megaterium found to be mesophilic alkaline (37℃, pH of 9) strain giving 472 U/ml while Exiguobacterium auranticum found to be acidic thermophilic (50°C, pH 5) that gave 391 U/ml. Results and Conclusion: Production of amylase by acidic thermophilic E. auranticum is reported here for the first time. The crude enzyme also showed better chocolate and curry stain removal capacity when combined with commercial detergent. Also juice clarification assay showed promising results which indicates that the enzymes could be potentially used in detergent and food industry.