Role of mucin and albumin in saline polarization of dental amalgam

Studies into the electrochemical nature and corrosion behaviour of dental amalgam have indicated the need for an artificial saliva formula that will accurately simulate the electrochemical properties of natural saliva. Existing formulae have been based on inorganic saliva constituent concentrations, without accurate representation of organic constituents. Albumin and mucin were added to several dilutions of saline solution. The resulting solutions were used as electrolyte at 4 degrees and 37 degrees C for the potentiostatic anodic polarization of conventional amalgam. The presence of albumin and mucin did not appear to alter the major characteristics of corrosion profile. Examination of the current-time transient curves indicated, however, that the kinetics of the electrochemical reactions were delayed. Also, the open circuit potential was observed to shift to more active values with the addition of organic constituents, thereby creating a low current density region in the initial segment of the polarization profile.