Xylitol associated changes in amylase and protein content of monkey parotid saliva

The purpose of this study was to examine amylase activity in the parotid saliva of monkeys fed a high sugar diet supplemented for 3-day periods with either sucrose or xylitol. All monkeys fed xylitol displayed a significant elevation of amylase activity and total protein content in their parotid saliva. The specific activity of amylase (units/mg protein) did not differ between the two diets. The possible importance of this observation to the purported cariostatic action of xylitol is discussed.