口腔链球菌摄取生物素与口内白色念球菌生长的关系

为了探讨口腔细菌生态平衡机制，本文体外检测了４株口腔链球菌（Ｓ．ｓａｌｉｖｅｒｉｕｓ，Ｓ．ｓａｎｇｕｉｓ，Ｓ．ｍｕｔａｎｓ和Ｓ．ｍｉｔｉｏｒ）和白色念珠菌生长对生物素的依赖性。结果显示白色念球菌和口腔链球菌的生长绝对依赖生物素，前者最大半数生长需要生物素约１０ｐＭｏｌ／Ｌ，其最大生长率所需生长素约为１００ｐＭｏｌ／Ｌ；而后者最大半数生物素为５－２５ｐＭｏｌ／Ｌ。正常人血清和唾液中生物素的含量约为２     

白色念珠菌摄取生物素的机制研究

本文进一步实验显示处于生物素饥饿状态的白色念珠菌摄取生物素具可饱合性和特异性。从饱合曲线测算出主动摄入生物素的半数最大初速率（１／２Ｖｍａｘ）所需生物素浓度,即Ｋｍ值为０７９±０１１（平均数±标准差,ｎ＝８）;叠氮钠（５ｍＭｏｌ／Ｌ）处理后,其Ｋｍ值增到２３９±０６４μｍＭｏｌ／Ｌ（平均数±标准差,ｎ＝３）。生物素之结构同源分子,如脱硫生物素、生物胞素、甲基酯生物素和对硝基苯酯生物素等竞争性抑制其主动摄取生物素,但是２亚氨基生物素却完全无抑制作用。在生物素摄入充足的白色念珠菌（在含２０ｎＭｏｌ／Ｌ生物素的培养基中生长）,生物素主要通过简单的弥散方式进入菌体内。由于血清中的生物素含量在ｐＭｏｌ／Ｌ到几个ｎＭｏｌ／Ｌ之间,白色念珠菌在体内可能通过主动摄取生物素机制满足其营养代谢需求。本研究为发展抗白色念珠菌新举措可能提供某种理论基础     

白细胞介素-1β对骨髓基质细胞膜电位及细胞内Ca2+和pH的影响

采用荧光染料 Ｄｉ Ｂ Ａ Ｃ４（３）, Ｆｌｕｏ３／ Ａ Ｍ 和 Ｓ Ｎ Ａ Ｌ Ｆ Ｃａｌｃｅｉｎ／ Ａ Ｍ 分别标记小鼠骨髓基质细胞（ Ｂ Ｍ Ｓ Ｃ）,在激光扫描共聚焦显微镜下直接监测重组人白细胞介素１β（ Ｉ Ｌ１β）刺激后细胞膜电位,细胞内游离 Ｃａ２＋ 浓度和胞浆 ｐ Ｈ 的实时动态变化． 结果发现： Ｉ Ｌ１β加入测定体系后浓度依赖性地引起 Ｂ Ｍ Ｓ Ｃ 膜电位的迅速改变． 低浓度时发生去极化反应,高浓度时发生超极化反应． 非受体方式作用的 Ｉ Ｌ１β肽段 １６３１７１ 对膜电位无影响． Ｉ Ｌ１β不影响细胞内 Ｃａ２＋ 的浓度和胞浆ｐ Ｈ． 研究表明膜电位的变化为 Ｉ Ｌ１ 受体后早期事件,它与细胞内 Ｃａ２＋的浓度和胞浆 ｐ Ｈ 的调节无关．     

水母雪莲悬浮培养细胞生长和黄酮类活性成分合成

在ＭＳ培养基上进行水母雪莲（ＳａｕｓｕｒｅａｍｅｄｕｓａＭａｘｉｍ．）细胞悬浮培养,研究了摇床转速、接种量、培养液初始ｐＨ、碳源等的影响。结果表明,摇床转速为９０～１２０ｒ／ｍｉｎ,接种量为５０～８０ｇＦＷ／Ｌ,培养液初始ｐＨ５．５～６．０,对水母雪莲悬浮培养细胞生长和黄酮合成最有利。碳源以蔗糖最适合,蔗糖浓度则以４０ｇ／Ｌ较好,此时细胞生长量为１８～１９ｇＤＷ／Ｌ,总黄酮合成量可达１４２３．２５ｍｇ／Ｌ。用ＨＰＬＣ检测显示４′,５,７三羟基３′,６二甲氧基黄酮（ｊａｃｅｏｓｉｄｉｎ）和４′,５,７三羟基６甲氧基黄酮（ｈｉｓｐｉｄｕｌｉｎ）的含量分别达到总黄酮含量的２２．１１％和０．１５％。     

稀土化合物氯化亚鈰对人肺癌细胞PG、人胃癌细胞BGC-823的作用

 以人肺癌细胞 Ｐ Ｇ 和人胃癌细胞 Ｂ Ｇ Ｃ ８２３ 作为研究对象,利用 Ｍ Ｔ Ｔ 测定、３ Ｈ Ｔｄ Ｒ 参入、流式细胞术、软琼脂培养、 Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ、 Ｗ ｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ 等实验方法,观察了稀土化合物氯化亚鈰（ Ｃｅ Ｃｌ３）抑癌作用．结果表明, Ｃｅ Ｃｌ３ 浓度为 ００５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ,０１ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ,０５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ和 １ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ可抑制 Ｐ Ｇ 细胞的增殖;浓度为 ０５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ和 １ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ Ｌ可抑制 Ｐ Ｇ 细胞 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 的合成,其 Ｇ１ 期细胞比例增加而 Ｓ期细胞比例减少,在软琼脂中的生长能力降低,原癌基因 ｃ ｍ ｙｃ 和 ｃ ｒａｓ 表达降低,ｐ１６ 蛋白质表达降低．而同样浓度的 Ｃｅ Ｃｌ３ 对 Ｂ Ｇ Ｃ ８２３ 细胞和正常细胞 ２ Ｂ Ｓ未见影响．提示：稀土化合物抑制肺癌细胞 Ｐ Ｇ 的增殖以及降低其恶性度的作用机制可能与一些增殖相关的原癌基因的表达和细胞周期的调控有关,其确切的机理还需进一步的研究．     

花粉高尔基囊泡与牛脑微管的体外结合

把从榛木（Ｃｏｒｙｌｕｓａｖｅｌｌａｎａ Ｌ．）花粉中分离得到的高尔基囊泡与经高度纯化并聚合好的牛脑微管进行体外组合,然后于１．５ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ的蔗糖层上进行超离心,对其沉淀物进行ＳＤＳ－聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和电镜负染。结果表明,花粉高尔基囊泡可以结合到牛脑微管上,证明植物花粉的高尔基囊泡与动物细胞的某些细胞器一样,也与细胞骨架的主要组成之一——微管具有结构上的紧密联系。花粉高尔基囊泡与牛脑微管的体外结合能力,受１０ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／ＬＡＴＰ和０．５ ｍ ｏｌ／ＬＫＣｌ的影响,但不受５ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ ＡＭＰ－ＰＮＰ的影响,说明两者结合可能是通过高尔基囊泡表面与ＡＴＰ有关的某种外周膜蛋白来完成的。     

欧芹苯丙氨酸脱氨酶cDNA在乳酸乳球菌中的表达研究

将欧芹（Ｐｅｔｒｏｓｅｌｉｎｕｍｃｒｉｓｐｕｍ）苯丙氨酸脱氨酶（ＰＡＬ）ｃＤＮＡ亚克隆到组成型表达载体ｐＭＧ３６ｅ启动子Ｐ３２下游,电穿孔法转化乳酸乳球菌,获得有ＰＡＬ表达活性的乳酸乳球菌工程菌（ｐＭＧ３６ｅＰＡＬ／Ｌ．ｌａｃｔｉｓＭＧ１３６３）。通过递归ＰＣＲ合成了一段１２０ｂｐ的调控片段,用以将ｐＭＧ３６ｅ改造为分泌型表达载体ｐＸＨＳ,以翻译偶联的方式表达ＰＡＬ,可使ＰＡＬ的Ｎ末端带上ｕｓｐ４５信号肽,结果亦检测到ＰＡＬ酶活性。自行分离克隆了乳酸乳球菌热休克蛋白基因ｄｎａＪ的启动子区域,构建了热诱导表达载体ｐＸＨＪ,获得ＰＡＬ热诱导表达工程菌（ｐＸＨＪＰＡＬ／Ｌ．ｌａｃｔｉｓＩＬ１４０３）,经３０℃至３７℃热诱导,可使ＰＡＬ表达活性提高至２倍。本文还就乳酸乳球菌ＰＡＬ工程菌在经典型苯丙酮尿症防治中的应用进行了分析和讨论     

杨树新品种叶肉原生质体培养和植株再生

从１ 个月龄的ＮＬ－８０１０６ 杨（Ｐｏｐｕｌｕｓｄｅｌｔｏｉｄｅｓ×Ｐ． ｓｉｍ ｏｎｉｉ）无菌苗叶片分离得到大量原生质体,纯化后其原生质体产量为４×１０７／ｇ ｆｒ．ｗ ｔ． 纯化的原生质体在含２,４－Ｄ ２ ｍ ｇ／Ｌ、ＮＡＡ ０．５ ｍ ｇ／Ｌ和ＫＴ ０．５ ｍ ｇ／Ｌ的ＫＭ８ｐ 和ＭＳ培养基中进行高密度液体浅层培养,渗透势为０．４０ ｍ ｏｌ／Ｌ的ＫＭ８ｐ 培养基中原生质体分裂频率最高． 培养第５ 天观察到第一次细胞分裂,培养１０ ｄ 的分裂频率为４．５％ ,１２ 周内可形成大量的细胞团和小愈伤组织． ＮＬ－８０１０６杨叶肉原生质体在富含有机氮并以葡萄糖为碳源的培养基中具有较高的分裂频率和植板率．小愈伤组织在ｇｅｌｒｉｔｅ 固化的ＮＬＺ１ 培养基上增殖生长,３ 周后形成４—６ ｍ ｍ 结构紧密的鲜红色愈伤组织,转至ＮＬＦ分化培养基,分化成苗率为１００％ ． 待芽伸长到３ ｃｍ 时,从基部切下转至１／２ ＭＳ培养基上诱导生根,形成完整植株     

高产稳产聚羟基烷酸的重组大肠杆菌的构建

重组大肠杆菌Ｅｓｃｈｅｒｉｃｈｉａ ｃｏｌｉＨＭＳ１７４（ｐＴＺ１８ＵＰＨＢ） 含有携带聚羟基烷酸（ＰＨＡ） 合成基因（ ｐｈａＣＡＢ）＊＊ 的质粒ｐＴＺ１８ＵＰＨＢ,是很有潜力的ＰＨＡ 生产菌,但存在着质粒不稳定和不能合成３羟基丁酸（３ＨＢ） 与３羟基戊酸（３ＨＶ） 共聚物［Ｐ（３ＨＢｃｏ３ＨＶ）］ 的缺陷。将ＲＫ２ 质粒上的ｐａｒ ＤＥ 基因引入ｐＴＺ１８ＵＰＨＢ 构成质粒ｐＪＭＣ２ ,该质粒可以在宿主Ｅ．ＣｏｌｉＨＭＳ１７４ 中稳定遗传。将培养基中的磷酸盐浓度降至１８ ｍ ｍｏｌ／Ｌ,发现Ｅ．Ｃｏｌｉ ＨＭＳ１７４（ｐＪＭＣ２） 能够以丙酸为前体合成Ｐ（３ＨＢｃｏ３ＨＶ） ,其中３ＨＶ 在共聚物中的含量为５ ％ ～８ ％ 。在５Ｌ自动发酵罐中分批补料培养Ｅ．Ｃｏｌｉ ＨＭＳ１７４（ｐＪＭＣ２） ,培养基初始磷酸盐浓度为１５ ｍ ｍｏｌ／Ｌ,３０ ｈ 后每升培养液中干菌体可达４２－５ ｇ,Ｐ（３ＨＢｃｏ３ＨＶ） 占干重的７０ ％ ,其中３ＨＶ 在共聚物中的含量为４－９ ％ 。     

西藏半边莲属(桔梗科)一新种

西藏山梗菜新种图１ＬｏｂｅｌｉａｔｉｂｅｔｉｃａＷ．Ｌ．Ｚｈｅｎｇ,ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．ＴＹＰＥ：Ｘｉｚａｎｇ（Ｔｉｂｅｔ西藏）,Ｍａｉｌｉｎｇ（米林）,ａｌｔ．３２００ｍ,ｉｎｐｒａｔｉｓｕｄｉｓ,１９９２０９０２,Ｗ．Ｌ．Ｚｈｅｎｇ（郑维烈）０４７...     

Inhibition by yeast killer toxin-like antibodies of oral Streptococci adhesion to tooth surfaces in an ex vivo model

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal (KTmAb) and recombinant (KTscFv) anti-idiotypic antibodies, representing the internal image of a yeast killer toxin, proved to be microbicidal in vitro against important eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogens such as Candida albicans, Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, S. haemolyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, including multidrug-resistant strains. KTmAb and KTscFv exerted a strong therapeutic effect in well-established animal models of candidiasis and pneumocystosis. Streptococcus mutans is the most important etiologic agent of dental caries that might result from the metabolic end products of dental plaque. Effective strategies to reduce the disease potential of dental plaque have considered the possibility of using antibiotics or antibodies against oral streptococci in general and S. mutans in particular. In this study, the activity of KTmAb and KTscFv against S. mutans and the inhibition and reduction by KTmAb of dental colonization by S. mutans and other oral streptococci in an ex vivo model of human teeth were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: KTscFv and KTmAb were used in a conventional colony forming unit (CFU) assay against a serotype C strain of S. mutans, and other oral streptococci (S. intermedius, S. mitis, S. oralis, S. salivarius). An ex vivo model of human teeth submerged in saliva was used to establish KTmAb potential of inhibiting or reducing the adhesion to dental surfaces by S. mutans and other oral streptococci. RESULTS: KTmAb and KTscFv kill in vitro S. mutans and other oral streptococci. KTmAb inhibit colonization of dental surfaces by S. mutans and oral streptococci in the ex vivo model. CONCLUSIONS: Killer antibodies with antibiotic activity or their engineered derivatives may have a potential in the prevention of dental caries in vivo.     

Effect of denture adhesive on the micro-organisms in vivo

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00381.x Effect of denture adhesive on the micro‐organisms in vivo Background: Denture adhesives increase the retention and stability of dentures in edentulous patients, especially in cases where salivary flow is impaired or in the management of traumatised oral mucosa. Objectives: The effect of a denture adhesive on the oral flora at different time intervals. Method: Thirty denture‐wearing patients were involved in this study. While half of the group received a denture adhesive, the other half did not. At baseline, 1 and 2 months after delivering the dentures, smear samples were obtained from the saliva, palate and the dentures. Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, α‐haemolytic streptococci, β‐haemolytic streptococci, Pneumococcus aureus, S. anginosus, S. intermedius, S. constellatus, S. sanguis, S. gordonii, S. mitis, S. mutans, S. salivarius, and yeasts were investigated. The data were statistically analysed using anova and repeated measures. Results: Most types of the micro‐organisms were not seen and could not be analysed statistically except α‐haemolytic streptococci and C. albicans. No statistically significant difference was found for α‐haemolytic streptococci and C. albicans in saliva, palate and the denture at all time intervals. Conclusions: Prolonged use of the denture adhesive tested up to 2 months did not yield to increase in micro‐organisms of the oral flora.     

Streptococcus mutans and oral streptococci in dental plaque

The human oral microbial biota represents a highly diverse biofilm. Twenty-five species of oral streptococci inhabit the human oral cavity and represent about 20 % of the total oral bacteria. Taxonomy of these bacteria is complex and remains provisional. Oral streptococci encompass friends and foes bacteria. Each species has developed specific properties for colonizing the different oral sites subjected to constantly changing conditions, for competing against competitors, and for resisting external agressions (host immune system, physico-chemical shocks, and mechanical frictions). Imbalance in the indigenous microbial biota generates oral diseases, and under proper conditions, commensal streptococci can switch to opportunistic pathogens that initiate disease in and damage to the host. The group of "mutans streptococci" was described as the most important bacteria related to the formation of dental caries. Streptococcus mutans, although naturally present among the human oral microbiota, is the microbial species most strongly associated with carious lesions. This minireview describes the oral streptococci ecology and their biofilm life style by focusing on the mutans group, mainly S. mutans. Virulence traits, interactions in the biofilm, and influence of S. mutans in dental caries etiology are discussed.     

Genetic exchange between oral streptococci during mixed growth

To determine whether oral streptococci might exchange genetic information in the oral cavity, paired transformable strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus milleri were growth together. Chromosomal and plasmid-borne antibiotic resistance markers could be readily transferred from S. mutans GS-5 to S. milleri NCTC 10707 or S. sanguis Challis during mixed growth. However, no exchange from the latter two organisms to strain GS-5 could be detected under these conditions. The transfer of genetic information from S. sanguis to S. milleri was also observed.     

The EIIABMan phosphotransferase system permease regulates carbohydrate catabolite repression in Streptococcus gordonii

Commensal oral streptococci play critical roles in oral biofilm formation and promote dental health by competing with, and antagonizing the growth of, pathogenic organisms, such as Streptococcus mutans. Efficient utilization of the spectrum of carbohydrates in the oral cavity by commensal streptococci is essential for their persistence, and yet very little is known about the regulation of carbohydrate catabolism by these organisms. Carbohydrate catabolite repression (CCR) in the abundant oral commensal Streptococcus gordonii strain DL-1 was investigated using the exo-β-D-fructosidase gene (fruA) and a fructose/mannose sugar:phosphotransferase (PTS) enzyme II operon (levDEFG) as model systems. Functional studies confirmed the predicted roles of FruA and LevD in S. gordonii. ManL, the AB domain of a fructose/mannose-type enzyme II PTS permease, contributed to utilization of glucose, mannose, galactose, and fructose and exerted primary control over CCR of the fruA and levD operons. Unlike in S. mutans, ManL-dependent CCR was not sugar specific, and galactose was very effective at eliciting CCR in S. gordonii. Inactivation of the apparent ccpA homologue of S. gordonii actually enhanced CCR of fruA and levD, an effect likely due to its demonstrated role in repression of manL expression. Thus, there are some similarities and fundamental differences in CCR control mechanisms between the oral pathogen S. mutans and the oral commensal S. gordonii that may eventually be exploited to enhance the competitiveness of health-associated commensals in oral biofilms.     

Role of glucosyltransferase B in interactions of Candida albicans with Streptococcus mutans and with an experimental pellicle on hydroxyapatite surfaces

Candida albicans and mutans streptococci are frequently detected in dental plaque biofilms from toddlers afflicted with early childhood caries. Glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) secreted by Streptococcus mutans bind to saliva-coated apatite (sHA) and to bacterial surfaces, synthesizing exopolymers in situ, which promote cell clustering and adherence to tooth enamel. We investigated the potential role Gtfs may play in mediating the interactions between C. albicans SC5314 and S. mutans UA159, both with each other and with the sHA surface. GtfB adhered effectively to the C. albicans yeast cell surface in an enzymatically active form, as determined by scintillation spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging. The glucans formed on the yeast cell surface were more susceptible to dextranase than those synthesized in solution or on sHA and bacterial cell surfaces (P < 0.05), indicating an elevated α-1,6-linked glucose content. Fluorescence imaging revealed that larger numbers of S. mutans cells bound to C. albicans cells with glucans present on their surface than to yeast cells without surface glucans (uncoated). The glucans formed in situ also enhanced C. albicans interactions with sHA, as determined by a novel single-cell micromechanical method. Furthermore, the presence of glucan-coated yeast cells significantly increased the accumulation of S. mutans on the sHA surface (versus S. mutans incubated alone or mixed with uncoated C. albicans; P < 0.05). These data reveal a novel cross-kingdom interaction that is mediated by bacterial GtfB, which readily attaches to the yeast cell surface. Surface-bound GtfB promotes the formation of a glucan-rich matrix in situ and may enhance the accumulation of S. mutans on the tooth enamel surface, thereby modulating the development of virulent biofilms.     

Interactions between oral bacteria: inhibition of Streptococcus mutans bacteriocin production by Streptococcus gordonii

Streptococcus mutans has been recognized as an important etiological agent in human dental caries. Some strains of S. mutans also produce bacteriocins. In this study, we sought to demonstrate that bacteriocin production by S. mutans strains GS5 and BM71 was mediated by quorum sensing, which is dependent on a competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) signaling system encoded by the com genes. We also demonstrated that interactions with some other oral streptococci interfered with S. mutans bacteriocin production both in broth and in biofilms. The inhibition of S. mutans bacteriocin production by oral bacteria was stronger in biofilms than in broth. Using transposon Tn916 mutagenesis, we identified a gene (sgc; named for Streptococcus gordonii challisin) responsible for the inhibition of S. mutans bacteriocin production by S. gordonii Challis. Interruption of the sgc gene in S. gordonii Challis resulted in attenuated inhibition of S. mutans bacteriocin production. The supernatant fluids from the sgc mutant did not inactivate the exogenous S. mutans CSP as did those from the parent strain Challis. S. gordonii Challis did not inactivate bacteriocin produced by S. mutans GS5. Because S. mutans uses quorum sensing to regulate virulence, strategies designed to interfere with these signaling systems may have broad applicability for biological control of this caries-causing organism.     

Effect of Nutrients upon Streptococcus mutans BHT and Streptococcus mitior LPA-1 Growing in Pure or Mixed Culture on Human Teeth in an Artificial Mouth

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus mitior were both capable of colonizing the surfaces of human teeth in an artificial mouth. Although fermentable carbohydrate was not essential for colonization, highest numbers were recovered after 5 d if 5–0°_***0 (w/v) sucrose had been available intermittently. When grown together in mixed culture the interaction of the two species was affected profoundly by the available nutrients. In the presence of synthetic saliva alone, Strep. mitior was strongly antagonistic to Strep. mutans. When a nutrient broth containing sucrose was also provided intermittently there was slight inhibition of Strep. mutans accompanied by an increase in the proportion of Strep. mitior in the plaque, although the former was the dominant organism under these conditions. When 0–5% (w/v) glucose replaced the sucrose, mutual antagonism occurred and fewer organisms were recovered than if only synthetic saliva had been available. One reason why a high-sucrose diet encourages colonization by Strep. mutans may be that insoluble extracellular polysaccharide confers a competitive advantage upon it in the face of antagonistic agents such as the hydrogen peroxide produced by Strep. mitior.     

Antibacterial property of isoflavonoids isolated from Erythrina variegata against cariogenic oral bacteria.

The antibacterial property of 7 compounds, isolated from Erythrina variegata (Leguminosae) by repeated silica gel column chromatography, against cariogenic oral bacteria was investigated. Extensive spectroscopic study revealed that all were isoflavonoids. Among them, 3,9-dihydroxy-2,10-di(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)-6a,11a-dehydropterocarpan (erycristagallin) showed the highest antibacterial activity against mutans streptococci, other oral streptococci, Actinomyces and Lactobacillus species with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 1.56-6.25 microg/ml, followed by 3,6a-dihydroxy-9-methoxy-2,10-di(gamma,gamma-dimethylallyl)pterocarpan (erystagallinA) and 9-hydroxy-3-methoxy-2-gamma,gamma-dimethylallylpterocarpan (orientanol B) (MIC range: 3.13-12.5 microg/ml). The antibacterial effect of erycristagallin to mutans streptococci was based on a bactericidal action. Erycristagallin (6.25 microg/ml: MIC) completely inhibited incorporation of radio-labelled thymidine into Streptococcus mutans cells. Incorporation of radio-labelled glucose into bacterial cells was also strongly inhibited at MIC, and 1/2 MIC of the compound reduced the incorporation approximately by half. The findings indicate that erycristagallin has a potential as potent phytochemical agent for prevention of dental caries by inhibiting the growth of cariogenic bacteria and by interfering with incorporation of glucose responsible for production of organic acids.     

Effect of carbohydrate fatty acid esters on Streptococcus sobrinus and glucosyltransferase activity

Mutans streptococci are oral bacteria with a key role in the initiation of dental caries, because their glucosyltransferases synthesize polysaccharides from sucrose that allow them to colonize the tooth surface. Among the strategies to prevent dental caries that are being investigated are (1) the inhibition of bacterial growth of mutans streptococci or (2) the inhibition of glucosyltransferases involved in polysaccharide formation. Pure fatty acid esters of sucrose, maltose and maltotriose were synthesized by an enzyme-catalyzed process and tested as inhibitors of two glucosyltransferases of great homology, those from Streptococcus sobrinus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F. In spite of having their nonreducing end glucose blocked at 6-OH, they did not inhibit dextran synthesis. However, their effect on the growth of S. sobrinus in the solid and liquid phase was notable. 6-O-Lauroylsucrose, 6'-O-lauroylmaltose and 6"-O-lauroylmaltotriose at 100 microg/mL showed complete inhibition of S. sobrinus in agar plates. Consequently, these nontoxic derivatives are very promising for inclusion in oral-hygiene products aimed at disrupting plaque formation and preventing caries.