Simple and rapid procedure for the selective removal of lysozyme from human saliva

Abstract

A simple and rapid method is described for the removal of lysozyme from human whole salivary supernatant. Saliva specimens were adsorbed with Micrococcus lysodeikticus. The saliva so treated was depleted of 95% of the lysozyme activity. Changes in total protein, lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin A, and the proportions of several anionic proteins were less than 10%. It is concluded that adsorption of saliva with M. lysodeikticus is a suitable procedure for the preparation of saliva that is selectively deficient in lysozyme.