The influence of biosurfactants released by S. mitis BMS on the adhesion of pioneer strains and cariogenic bacteria

Biofouling. 2004 Dec;20(6):261-7. doi: 10.1080/08927010400027050.

Abstract

The influence of Streptococcus mitis BMS biosurfactants on the adhesion of eight pioneer and four cariogenic oral bacterial strains was, for a first screening, examined in a microtiter plate assay. The adhesion to pellicle-coated wells of three cariogenic strains was inhibited >70% by the biosurfactants, while only one pioneer strain showed >70% reduction. The reduction for the other strains did not exceed 50%. Subsequently, adhesion of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus sobrinus HG 1025, both cariogenic strains, and Actinomyces naeslundii T14V-J1 and Streptococcus oralis J22, two pioneer strains, to biosurfactants-coated enamel with and without a salivary pellicle was studied in a parallel plate flow chamber. A biosurfactants coating to enamel with or without a pellicle caused a reduction in the number of adhering cariogenic organisms, although no such reduction was observed for the pioneer strains. Consequently, it is concluded that S. mitis BMS biosurfactants may play a protective role against adhesion of cariogenic bacteria.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion*
  • Dental Caries / microbiology
  • Dental Enamel / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Population Dynamics
  • Streptococcus mitis / physiology*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Surface-Active Agents