Physio-Chemical Analysis of Unstimulated Saliva of Healthy Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background: Saliva is a potential diagnostic tool in the management of human diseases. Analysis of saliva in healthy individuals is vital to comparison in a diseased state. There is a paucity of data on the physicochemical composition of saliva among Nigerians.Design: Staff and students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria aged from 18 to 40 years Electrolytes concentration was estimated using Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometry (AAS) while selected organic constituents were determined using Randox® Kits following the manufacturer's instructions. Saliva was collected using spitting method for five minutes and the flow rate was calculated, then transported to the laboratory for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Data were analyzed using STATA 11 statistical software (StataCorp, College Station, Texas).Results: Mean age of the participants was 27.7±7.7 years. The mean unstimulated salivary flow rate was 0.398±0.25 mL/min and was higher in men (p=0.033). The mean specific gravity of the saliva was 0.119±0.14 and was higher in women. The mean concentration of sodium, phosphate, chloride and potassium was2.171±0.9 mmol/L, 0.0354±0.021, 1.552±0.492 and 0.0354±0.021 mmol/L, respectively, and they were higher in women except sodium. The pH of saliva was significantly increased in people above 30 years (7.65) compared to those below 30 years (7.47), t-test, p=0.008 Conclusion:The unstimulated salivary flow rate and specific gravity were higher in males. There were age and sex variations in the selected salivary parameters.