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. 1979 Jul;38(1):119–126. doi: 10.1128/aem.38.1.119-126.1979

Protein-to-wet weight relationships in supragingival plaques from caries-prone tooth surfaces.

M N Gilmour, G Turner, A K Krenzer, L B Zahn, J A Curzon
PMCID: PMC243445  PMID: 485148

Abstract

The ratio of protein to wet weight in unpooled samples of supragingival plaques from sound and carious tooth surfaces was studied. Protein was assayed by a procedure developed for the study, in order to achieve a sensitivity of 1 microgram with minimum effects upon quantitation from protein composition and nonprotein components. Ratios of protein to wet weight in plaque specimens from caries-free surfaces were almost equally distributed into two main categories of 9.4% and 6.5%. Corresponding values for specimens from carious surfaces were 9.1% and 5.0%. The occurrence of high and of low values among samples from each type of surface indicated that the plaques differed quantitatively in protein, water, or a nonprotein component, possibly extracellular polysaccharide. Although compositional differences between plaques from the two types of surfaces were indicated by the lower ratios of 6.5% from noncarious and 5.0% from carious surfaces, they were not indicated by the higher ratio values, which were similar. These results suggest either that protein-to-wet weight ratios are not related to caries, or that the ratio values are related to caries for some but not all types of plaques.

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Selected References

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