Association of lipids with proteins and glycoproteins in human saliva.

The distribution of lipids in the fractions of parotid and submandibular saliva following Bio-Gel A-50 column chromatography was measured. Over 50% of the total lipids of submandibular saliva was found in the fraction which contained mainly the high-molecular-weight glycoprotein. This fraction also contained most of the glycolipids, free fatty acids, phospholipids, and cholesterol. In the parotid saliva, the fraction containing the basic glycoprotein (the major glycoprotein fraction of parotid saliva) contained 35% of the total saliva lipids and was enriched in phospholipids ana cholesterol esters.