Characteristics of Saliva and an Agar Gel Bolus from Young and Elderly Subjects

Characteristics of Saliva and an Agar Gel Bolus from Young and Elderly Subjects Aki KAWANO, Tomoko TAKAHASHI* and Hiro OGOSHI Faculty of Home Economics, Japan Women's University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8681 * Faculty of Human Life, Jumonji University, Niiza, Saitama 352-0006 The characteristics of saliva and an agar gel bolus obtained from young and elderly subjects were studied. The elderly subjects produced a slightly lower saliva flow during mastication in the absence of any food and, in general, the apparent viscosity of saliva from the elderly was slightly higher than that from the young. The volume of saliva flow in bolus was slightly less for the elderly than for the young. No significant difference between the two age groups was apparent in the size distribution of the gel grains contained within the bolus, this being spat out when ready to be swallowed. There was also no significant difference between the two age groups in the hardness and cohesiveness of the bolus. However, the bolus masticated by the elderly demonstrated higher adhesiveness than that from the younger age group. (Received April 23, 2004; Accepted in revised form March 10, 2005)