The identification of a peptide in human parotid saliva particularly active in enhancing the glycolytic activity of the salivary micro-organisms.

A factor in saliva responsible for markedly activating the glycolytic activity of micro-organisms was isolated from parotid secretions and identified as a small basic peptide. Analysis of the peptide showed a high proportion of histidine, lysine and arginine. Its minimum molecular weight was calculated to be between 2500 and 3000.