Nature and distribution of mucosubstances in human mature enamel identified by enzyme electron microscopy

Longitudinal slices of 12 freshly extracted human third molars fixed in 10 per cent neutral formalin were demineralized with 1M lactic acid. Ultrathin sections of slices were stained with ruthenium red or silver methenamine. The reaction products were mainly found in the prism sheath regions. To identify the mucosubstances, the digestion tests with chondroitinase ABC, AC, hyaluronidase and neuraminidase were performed. It was concluded that the major component of the organic matrix of inner human dental enamel is chondroitin 4-sulphate or chondroitin 6-sulphate localized in prism sheath regions and inter-crystalline spaces.