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Specific and robust ion chromatographic determination of hypothiocyanite in saliva samples

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Abstract

The enzymatic system in saliva, consisting of salivary peroxidase (SPO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and thiocyanate (SCN−), produces hypothiocyanite (OSCN−) as a high effective antibacterial compound. OSCN− is of great importance for the natural non-specific antibacterial resistance in the oral cavity. However, no analytical method currently exists to selectively quantify OSCN− in saliva samples. A robust and specific analytical method for the determination of OSCN− was developed based on ion chromatography with combined UV and electrochemical detection. Calibration was achieved by calculating a derived calibration factor based on the known ratio of molar extinction coefficients of SCN− and OSCN−. Thus, the specific quantification of OSCN− in saliva samples is possible, as demonstrated here. The median value of 200 saliva samples was determined to be 0.56 mg L−1 (median), with a maximum of 3.9 mg L−1; the minimum value was below the detection limit (< 0.09 mg L−1). The recovery rate in individual saliva samples was 95 ± 8%.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the European Regional Development Fund: V-630-S-137-2012/024, V-630-F-137-2012/023, V-630-VB243-2012/022 (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Ministry for Economics, Employment and Tourism/Bmp Bulk Medicines & Pharmaceuticals Production GmbH) and by University Medicine Greifswald.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Straße 49a, 17489, Greifswald, Germany

    Harald Below, Romy Baguhl, Wiebke Geßner & Axel Kramer

  2. Institute of Forensic Science, University Medicine Greifswald, Kuhstraße 30, 17489, Greifswald, Germany

    Elke Below

  3. Institute of Biochemistry, University Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 4, 17487, Greifswald, Germany

    Heike Kahlert

  4. Department of Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology and Endodontology, Dental School, University Medicine Greifswald, Walther-Rathenau-Straße 42a, 17475, Greifswald, Germany

    Alexander Welk

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  1. Harald Below
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Correspondence to Harald Below.

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Below, H., Baguhl, R., Geßner, W. et al. Specific and robust ion chromatographic determination of hypothiocyanite in saliva samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 410, 2739–2749 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0954-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0954-5

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