This article reports on the homogeneity and stability of saliva samples treated and
stored under different conditions. The analytes chosen for this evaluation were Na,
Ca, and Mg as minor elements and Mn as the trace element. The results obtained show
that when the sample was homogenized in an ultrasonic bath, a minimum volume of 0.25
mt was required to consider the sample homogeneous. The stability of the analytes
depended on their concentration. The Ca and Mg content seemed to be stable for at
least 1 wk when the samples were stored at room temperature, whereas the Mn content
seemed to be unstable for 1 d even when the sample was stored at -20 degreesC.
