A quantitative analysis of total carbohydrate content from the salivary expectorants in young children

Abstract

Background: In this postfluoride era, the concentration of fermentable carbohydrate in saliva after food intake is important to determine the risk of developing dental caries. Aim: The aim of this study is to estimate the total carbohydrate content of salivary expectorants following consumption of commercially processed snacks. Design: Thirty children aged 6–8 years were selected for estimation of total carbohydrate content of salivary expectorants using modified calorimetric anthrone-sulfuric acid-glucose reaction. The test foods analyzed were as follows: Test food A – potato chips, Test food B – glucose biscuits, Test food C – Oreo biscuits, Test food D – cake, and Test food E – cornflakes. The data obtained were analyzed using student's t-test and ANOVA. Results: The difference between the mean carbohydrate values of salivary expectorants of various processed test food groups at 0 and 10 min was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001). After 10 min interval, cornflakes were found to have highest total carbohydrate content in salivary expectorant (5.186 mg/ml). Conclusion: The foods with high starch content such as cornflakes and potato chips exhibited higher total carbohydrate content, thus depicting lower salivary clearance rate.

Keywords

• Anthrone reagent
• clearance
• dietary carbohydrate
• saliva