Feasibility of salivary alpha-amylases for detection of plate waste reuse

Abstract

Recently, plate waste reuse has been highlighted as a social issue with regards to food safety management in Korean restaurants. However, it is hard to determine whether plate waste has indeed been reused. Therefore, this study examined salivary biomarkers to detect plate waste contaminated with saliva. To select the most appropriate salivary biomarker, we investigated the circadian rhythm and measurement variations of salivary chromogranin A (CgA), cortisol, and alpha-amylase (sAA). Foods were mixed with saliva and then the appropriate salivary biomarker was applied. sAA had the lowest coefficient variation and an effective circadian rhythm for detecting plate waste reuse. The sAA detection method in side dishes contaminated with saliva using a visible color reaction was applied. This could determine whether plate waste was reused in the field.