Streptococcus mutans and its ability to metabolize various carbohydrates
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| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| Citation | |
| Description | Dental caries is a multifactorial disease and its formation is associated with oral cariogenic bacteria, including an acidophilic Streptococcus mutans. The bacteria metabolize dietary carbohydrates to organic acids which decrease the pH level in the oral cavity and demineralize enamel. The length of exposure to these conditions, the tooth morphology, and individual host susceptibility further contribute to dental caries. The effect of different sugars on organic acids production in S. mutans was monitored by growth kinetic parameters reflecting the cell physiology (cell numbers, H+ formation, metabolites concentration). Bacteria S. mutans were optimally grown in a 5% CO2-aerobic atmosphere at 37°C on solid and liquid tryptic soy broth with cariogenic fructose, glucose, galactose, lactose, sucrose, and non-cariogenic xylitol. Bacterial growth was highly dynamic and the stationary phase was reached mostly within 24 h. A gradual decrease in cariogenic sugars concentration was observed during the cultivation. The decrease in pH level confirmed the acidogenic activity of these bacteria. The individual metabolites were detected in the form of formic, acetic and lactic acid salts. Global transcriptional responses of S. mutans under different sugars were measured using RNA sequencing. The data obtained can enhance the understanding of the impact of microbes on one of the most common chronic diseases affecting the human population. |
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