EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON THE PRECIPITABLE PROTEIN CONTENT AND CATALASE ACTIVITY OF WHOLE SALIVA

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

The effect of storage of saliva at room- and at icebox-temperatures has been studied. The protein content of whole saliva decreased 42 per cent on standing 24 hours at 30°C.; its catalase activity was doubled. The protein content of centrifuged saliva decreased 34 per cent under the same conditions. At 0°C. no significant change took place either in the amount of protein or catalase activity.

Evidence is presented that saliva should always be collected in containers at 0°C., even for immediate analyses.