title: Organic anion composition of human whole saliva as determined by ion chromatography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of studies examining anionic composition in human saliva have focused on inorganic anions only, and accompanying organic anion concentration has often been overlooked in the development of artificial salivas. The purpose of this study was to examine the major organic anionic species profile of human saliva, with a view to gaining further insight into human salivary chemistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from 11 healthy volunteers over a period of 18months. Samples were subjected to ion chromatography for detection and quantification of organic and inorganic anions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among organic anions, acetate was predominant (0.24±0.38mmol/l), with lactate (0.01±0.04mmol/l), propionate (0.03±0.07mmol/l), and formate (0.02±0.03mmol/l) detected at lower levels. Acetate, propionate, and formate were detected in at least 80% of the saliva samples. Positive partial correlations were found between phosphate and sulfate (r=0.510, p-value=1.545×10(-4)), and between propionate and acetate (r=0.836, p-value=7.510×10(-14)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Organic anionic species were consistently detected at low levels in saliva samples collected longitudinally over a period of 18months. These salivary components must be considered in order to understand saliva chemistry, and should not be neglected during the continuing development of artificial salivas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Implantology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhuofan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Instrumental Analysis and Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shunqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: ehnpow@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Edmond H N
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Pow
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Otto L T
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Sui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D000838:Anions / Q000032:analysis*; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D005260:Female; D005561:Formates; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates; D011422:Propionates; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013431:Sulfates; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000838:Anions; D005561:Formates; D010710:Phosphates; D011422:Propionates; D013431:Sulfates; C030544:formic acid; D019344:Lactic Acid
keywords: Ion-chromatography; Organic anions; Saliva