Human Saliva Enzymes Science Fair Projects

Human Experimentation

Human experimentation, regardless of how invasive it is, may require approval by a special board. This is to ensure that student utilizes ethical methods for the treatment of the human test subject.

DNA Extraction	Student's Microscopes

Objectives/Goals

The objective of this experiment is to compare the effects of human salivary amylase enzymes versus microbial enzymes on starch hydrolysis.

Methods/Materials

Subcultures of Bacillus subtilis, Streptoccous agalatae, Sacchromyces cerevisiae, and human saliva were inoculated to the appropriately labeled quadrants on the starch agar plate. The starch agar plate was left at room temperature for 24 hours at 37 degrees Celsius and ph of 7.0. Iodine solution was then flooded on the starch agar plate. The diameters of the starch hydrolysis for S. agalatae, B. subtilis, saliva, and S. cerevisiae were measured in mm. every ten minutes for two hours. The data was then tabulated and graphed. Procedure was repeated for two more trials.

Results

The largest diameter of the clear zone (starch hydrolysis) was found in salivary amylase, 9.7 mm., followed by Bacillus subtilis, 4.4 mm., and 0 mm. for both Streptoccous agalatae (negative control) and Sacchromyces cerevisiae.

Conclusions/Discussion

Human salivary enzymes were more effective in starch hydrolysis than microbial amylase enzymes. 3rd party contributor