Binding affinity of hydrolyzable tannins to parotid saliva and to proline-rich proteins derived from it.

Proline-rich proteins (PRP) in human parotid saliva have a high affinity for dietary polyphenolic compounds (tannins), forming stable complexes that may modulate the biological and nutritional properties of the tannin. The formation of such complexes may also have an important role in the modulation or promotion of the sensation of oral astringency perceived when tannin-rich foods and beverages are consumed. The major classes of PRP (acidic, basic, and glycosylated) have been isolated from human saliva, and the relative binding affinities of a series of hydrolyzable tannins, which are found in a number of plant-derived foods and beverages, to these PRP classes have been determined using a competition assay. All of the classes of PRP have a high capacity for hydrolyzable tannins. Within the narrow range of binding affinities exhibited, structure/binding relationships with the levels of tannin galloylation, hexahydroxydiphenoyl esterification, and degree of polymerization were identified. No individual class of human salivary PRP appears to have an exclusive affinity for a particular type of hydrolyzable tannin.