Study of the noncollagenous components of the periodontium.

Periodontal ligament and gingivae of bovine and porcine periodontium were analyzed for relative amounts of carbohydrates, collagen, and acid mucopolysaccharides. The sugar content was 3.6% and 3.4% of dry weight in bovine and porcine periodontal ligament, respectively. The values were lower in the gingivae being 2.34% and 2.30%, respectively. Approximately 50% of hexosamine in gingivae was present in acid mucopolysacchrides as compared to 36% in periodontal ligament. Relative to collagen there was a considerable amount of non-collagenous glycoproteins present in the periodontium as judged by carbohydrate content of the tissue.