Carbohydrate components of the gingival exudate

This paper describes the presence and amounts of free glucose, hexosamine and hexuronic acid in the gingival exudate. Exudate was sampled on filterstrips from individuals with different degrees of gingival inflammation. The strips were weighed before and after absorption of exudate and the exudate was calculated. The exudate was extracted and the content of glucose, hexosamine and hexuronic acid was determined colorimetrically. In keeping with previous studies the amount of exudate increased with the severity of inflammation. Exudate glucose varied between 1.13 and 7.09 μg/mg exudate. The hexosamine content was approximately 0.6 μg/mg and the hexuronic acid concentration varied between 50 and 60 μg/mg. The possible sources of origin of the carbohydrate components are discussed.