Salivary β-glucosidase as a direct factor influencing the occurrence of halitosis

Abstract

β-Glucosidases are enzymes present in all living organisms, playing a pivotal role in diverse biological processes. These enzymes cleave β-glycosidic bonds between carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety, which may result in the liberation of volatile aglycones. Released compounds execute diverse physiological roles , while the industry takes advantage of exogenously added β-glucosidases for aroma enrichment during food and beverage production. β-Glucosidase enzymatic activity has been reported in human saliva and given the fact that these enzymes are involved in aroma release, we investigated here the correlation between β-glucosidase activity in human saliva and the occurrence of halitosis. Measurement of salivary enzyme activity of 48 volunteers was performed using p -nitrophenyl-β- d -glucopyranoside as substrate. Each volunteer was clinically evaluated by a dental surgeon and clinical and laboratorial data were statistically analyzed. Gas-chromatography of saliva headspace allowed the analysis of the direct role of exogenous β-glucosidase on aromatic /volatile profile of saliva samples. The data demonstrated a positive correlation between halitosis and enzymatic activity, suggesting that the enzyme exerts a direct role in the occurrence of bad breath. Gas-chromatography analysis demonstrated that exogenously added enzyme led to the alteration of volatile organic content, confirming a direct contribution of β-glucosidase activity on saliva volatile compounds release. Although halitosis is a multifactorial condition, the complete understanding of all governing factors may allow the development of more effective treatment strategies. Such studies may pave the way to the use of β-glucosidase inhibitors for halitosis clinical management.

Comparative Physicochemical and Biochemical Characterization of Small-Molecule Glucosides

“…Glucosidase activity in human saliva has been reported, , and given that these enzymes are involved in the release of aromas, − we investigated the ability of salivary proteins to hydrolyze SMGs (Figure c). Like Rapidase and the enzymes from sweat, salivary β-glucosidases preferentially cleaved furanone glucosides MFG, SG, HFG, and FG.…”

“…readily hydrolyze RKG, EG, PEG, and to a lesser extent MG. 44,45 CG was a poor substrate, as was also evident from our results, likely due to its antimicrobial activity. 44 Glucosidase activity in human saliva has been reported, 46,47 and given that these enzymes are involved in the release of aromas, 48−50 we investigated the ability of salivary proteins to hydrolyze SMGs (Figure 6c). Like Rapidase and the enzymes from sweat, salivary β-glucosidases preferentially cleaved furanone glucosides MFG, SG, HFG, and FG.…”

Analysis of the oral microbiome during hormonal cycle and its alterations in menopausal women: the “AMICA” project

“…Previous studies showed that Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Streptococcus gordonii, as constituent of oral microbiome, have genes coding for the β-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase and expressed this activity, which in fact indicated the presence into the oral microbiome of these organisms. In fact, the dental plaque environment favors organisms that are able to metabolize complex glycoprotein and mucins and the detection of some GH activities in human saliva have been reported and have been considered as indicator of several parameters correlated to human health [30][31][32] . In addition, a very recent study has also analyzed different physicochemical parameters of saliva in menopausal women, in which they did not report GH activities, but they stated that differences in saliva properties observed in menopause can potentially affect the oral environment, possibly increasing the risk of some pathological changes in the oral cavity and consequently indicating the need to take special care of this group of female patients in order to help them maintain proper oral health 33 .…”

Exame salivar como meio de diagnóstico para diabetes e doenças da cavidade oral

“…significativas na qualidade de vida e bem-estar dos indivíduos. Assim, ressalta-se a necessidade de uma discussão sobre como doenças relacionadas à cavidade oral são um problema de saúde pública e que não é só a falta de higiene que interfere nesse processo, mas também a carência nutricional afeta diretamente a saúde desses indivíduos que é agravada em decorrência da situação socioeconômica em que se encontram (TEIXEIRA ESSENFELDER et al, 2021).…”