Saliva is an aqueous fluid found in the oral cavity playing fundamental role in the preservation and maintenance of oral health. Apart from higher molecular-weight constituents, it contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may origin from such sources such as blood or be a result of bacterial metabolism. They can also reach the oral fluid through dissolving of volatiles from breath and consumed foods. Some of them may serve as biomarkers of various diseases, such as dimethyl disulfide (halitosis), pyridine (periodontal disease) and trimethylamine (trimethylaminuria) or occupational exposure. The review shows the basic functions of saliva and its composition. Furthermore, this paper presents the methodologies employed for sampling, extraction and enrichment of salivary VOCs and reviews the literature dedicated to profiling and searching of biomarkers emanated from saliva. Complete tables of reported VOCs and potential biomarkers from this specimen are also included.
Keywords: Biomarker; VOC; profiling; saliva.