Chemistry summary

The review discusses the uses of saliva as a biomarker and emphasizes the crucial factors in selecting saliva in addition to the preservation techniques. The topic has thus been introduced by the writers by offering further details on saliva as a bodily fluid, its uses, its components (both natural and artificial), and saliva collection and storage. In addition, they have outlined the biomarkers found in saliva and provided the electrolysis involved in saliva before conclusion in order to provide more overview of the body fluid. The conclusion that they have made in the review is that saliva is that it has potential in diagnosis hence the study of the body fluid should be enhanced.

A description of the problem being solved and approach used

The problem that this paper address is how to improve the selectivity assays without involving the use of molecules that are biologically selective. In this regard, the authors had an aim of suggesting that saliva can as well be used effectively as other body fluid such as the blood in cases of carrying out a diagnosis of the body health status. The assumption, in this case, is that the saliva contains the necessary biomarkers that other fluids of the body have and can be used in the process of successful diagnosis.

The approach that has been taken toward this review is a collection of research information on the use of saliva as a biomarker from different research activities involving saliva as a biomarker or as containing the biomarkers. In this regard, the authors of the review have given the presentation a deductive approach by first of all providing the basic information about saliva such as its uses and how it can be collected and then stored. Finally, they have outlined the electrolysis of saliva to give more refined information that in a way is meant to bring out the element of biomarkers found in the saliva. From the presentation, they have then withdrawn their conclusion on the use of saliva as biomarkers.

Critical evaluation of the work with strengths and weaknesses

From the outline, the paper is well presented as it follows the basic structure of introducing the work then dwelling on the content before concluding. Looking at the content, the authors have given a good flow in the work as they proceed from basic elements of the topic to the most complex such as the electrolysis. In the course of the presentation, they have utilized various methods that have contributed to making the work to be convincing. First and foremost they have used multiple research works from different and related studies. The different works are of benefit because they aid in the comparison of the work to come up with strong arguments on the different concepts that have been presented. Secondly, the authors have made use of visual aids that are useful in providing succinct information on certain aspects of the work. Through the visual aids like graphs and tables, the authors have made it easy for the readers to be in a position to deduce main ideas easily from the work without necessarily going through the entire work.

The third strength that the authors have demonstrated in the work is the provision of a summarised analysis of the contents as provided by different researchers. This has involved the process of electrolysis of saliva while citing different inferences depending on the chemicals that they identified in the saliva.

On the other hand, the work has well as some flaws that make it questionable in some aspects. One of the main flaws is concluding that there is no conflict of interest in the review yet in the work there are cases debating on whether saliva can be used as a biomarker just like blood. This alone is a conflict of interest in itself given that there is no agreement for some people about the issue of saliva being a biomarker. Secondly, the part involving electrolysis of saliva seems not to have been well presented given that there is no chemical equation has been used. The section as suggested by its name is representing a chemical process that needs to be accompanied by some chemical equation to command authenticity. Reference to other works is not enough without the use of a chemical equation.

Discussion of the novelty and significance of the work

The novelty of the paper lies in the fact that it is trying to explore new fields of research by including saliva as another biomarker that can serve a similar purpose as blood. This part of the study is interesting given that the contents of saliva have been for a long time assumed to have negligible contents of critical body elements that can be used to perform a diagnosis. Regarding this perspective, the work is unique and has an element of creativity.

The significance of the work can be based on the fact that it tries to find alternative ways through which the process of diagnosis can be undertaken without necessarily using blood fluid. In case the research proves successful it will provide some incite to more research in chemistry that are yet to prove beneficial to the entire human race. Another significance of the work is reflected in the fact that it has the potential of influencing the process of chemical engineering where new things including equipment can be made in a bid to carry out related research works that have the groundbreaking effect to the entire human race.

Proposal on how the work could be improved

Based on the flaws that have been observed in the work, there is need to improve those areas among others to ensure it is comprehensive. First and foremost, the authors need to be accommodative by allowing other dissenting opinions on the views that they have on saliva being a biomarker. This will ensure that there is a more constructive debate on the subject to strengthen it even more. In addition to that, the authors need to improve their presentation on the electrolysis of saliva by including at least a chemical equation that would provide commanding evidence on the concept that they are trying to drive home. Last but not least, the work has to elaborate on future study for the same topic because we cannot say that it was final in its presentation. The future study if well explained they will be beneficial in addressing the flaws that the work might have. In this regard, the work will have an even greater impact.