ABSTRACT
Saliva is a complex secretion containing proteinaceous, carbohydrate, as well as lipidic components. The composition varies among individuals but typical values are 2, 3-4, and 0.1 giL, respectively [1,2]. For a thorough review on the composition of saliva and variations therein see, e.g., Refs. I and 3. The protein fraction includes more than 40 different components ranging in molecular weight from short peptides to assemblies with molecular weights in excess of 106 Da [4].
