Figure 1.
Starch viscosity measurements from the MVAG following the addition of subjects' saliva.
This graph represents the four subjects with the least overall change in viscosity (upper curves) and the four with the greatest overall change (lower curves). The inset graph shows the data from all saliva samples analyzed in the MVAG (n = 42). In both graphs, the data from each subject is represented by a different colored line. 100 ul of each subject's saliva were added to 100 g of starch at 37.5°C. Saliva was added to the starch at time “0” and constituted ∼0.1% of the starch solution.
Figure 2.
Correlations among salivary amylase measures.
Both salivary amylase amount/ml (A) and salivary activity/ml (B) were significantly related to the overall change in viscosity measured by the MVAG. Salivary amylase amount/ml and salivary activity/ml were also significantly correlated with one another (C). Note that the saliva samples analyzed in the MVAG (n = 41) are a subset of those samples analyzed by Western blot and enzymatic assay (n = 73).
Figure 3.
AMY1 copy number variation and salivary amylase protein expression.
There was a significant positive relationship between AMY1 diploid copy number and amylase amount/ml (n = 62).
Figure 4.
Subjects rated the viscosity of 6% starch, 1% xanthan gum, and water over the course of 60 seconds.
Average time-intensity ratings for the three stimuli (A). As demonstrated by LMS ratings from six individuals (each portrayed by a different colored line/shape), subjects were highly variable in their use of the LMS scale when rating starch viscosity during the trial (B). LMS ratings were normalized to 100 at 5 seconds in order to remove subjective noise and enable observation of the effects of amylase on viscosity ratings (C). Note that Panels B and C contain LMS rating data from the same six subjects; each individual is represented by the same color line in each panel.
Figure 5.
Salivary amylase levels were significantly related to perceived starch viscosity.
Subjects with higher salivary amylase concentrations/ml (A) and salivary activity/ml (B) had greater overall changes in perceived viscosity. These subjects also reached ½ perceived viscosity levels significantly faster (C and D). The dashed line within each box represents the mean value, while the upper and lower boundaries of the box represent the 75th and 25th percentiles, respectively. The error bars above and below the box indicate the 90th and 10th percentiles. Points with different letters are significantly different from one another. Mg/min quartiles: 1 = 0–1.5; 2 = 1.51–2.99; 3 = 3–10; and 4 = >10 mg/min. U/min quartiles: 1 = 0–60; 2 = 61–120; 3 = 121–220; and 4 = >220 U/min.