Lysozyme activity and L(+)-lactic acid production in saliva in schoolchildren with high Lactobacillus counts

Out of 374 schoolchildren, aged 13-15 yr, 42 with high counts of salivary lactobacilli (greater than or equal to 10(5] were selected for this study. Lysozyme activity in saliva and L(+)-lactic acid (LA) production after addition of glucose were determined. The mean values of lysozyme activity and LA concentration were 19.4 micrograms/ml and 1.4 mmol/l respectively. The levels of LA produced without addition of glucose were less than 0.2 mmol/l. The results showed a statistically significant (P less than 0.05) negative correlation between lysozyme activity and the levels of LA produced. The findings of this study suggest that lysozyme may be of importance in limiting acid production in saliva.