• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.308-317
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• 2015

This study attempted to identify the possibility of natural herbal extracts as an alternative, preventive agent of caries by comparing antimicrobial activities between natural herbal extracts and mouth rinsing solutions against Streptococcus mutans. Natural herbal plants were extracted with distilled water and ethanol, respectively, to measure the minimum growth inhibitory concentration of S. mutans depending on concentration, and among which, solvents showing high antimicrobial activity were selected to compare their antibiotic effects with those of mouth rinsing solutions. Also, to determine the concentration of natural medicinal herbs that can be used safely in the oral cavity, the extracts were treated to the normal gingival fibroblast cells depending on concentration in order to determine its cytotoxicity using MTT. In terms of the minimum growth inhibition concentration, the growth inhibition of S. mutans was more excellent in the ethanol extract than in the distilled water. When the minimum growth inhibition concentration was compared, Psoralea corylifolia of natural herbal ethanol extracts, and Hexamedine (Bukwang Pharm., Korea) of mouth rinsing solutions inhibited growth of S. mutans at the lowest concentration. When the minimum bactericidal concentration was compared, P. corylifolia of natural herbal extracts, and Hexamedine and Garglin (Dong-A Pharm., Korea) of mouth rinsing solutions eliminated S. mutans at a low concentration. The human gingival fibroblast was treated with natural herbal ethanol extracts at the minimum growth inhibition concentration of 10, 39, and $78{\mu}g/ml$. As the result, no cytotoxicity was found. When this was treated at different minimum bactericidal concentrations, natural herbal ethanol extracts showed cytotoxicity except P. corylifolia.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2006

The study was performed to identification of producing microbe Non-Cariogenicity Sugar (NCS; Fuc($1{\to}4$) gaINAc($2{\to}6$)NeuAc) with anti-caries activity, and to optimization of production condition. A typical strain which produced the NCS was identified alkalophilic Bacillus sp. S-1013 through the results of morphological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimal medium composition for the maximal production of the NCS from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. S-1013 was as follow: soluble starch 30 g, dextrin 15 g, yeast extract 5 g, peptone 10 g, $K_{2}HPO_4$ 2 g in a liter of distilled water. Optimal temperature and pH were 25 and 11.0, respectively. The highest production of NCS was shown 60 hrs cultivation using the optimal medium, and then NCS productivity and dry cell weight of culture broth increased 4.24 and 2.67 time than initial medium, respectively.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.605-616
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• 2004

Subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) refer to concentrations below minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The antimicrobial agents may be present at relatively high concentration, at least higher than bacterial MIC and thereafter be deserted off a surface and function at sub-MICs, perhaps by interfering with bacterial metabolism. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of growth, in the presence of sub-MICs of antimicrobial agents, on the cell surface properties and virulence factors of mutans streptococci and to investigate the efficacy of a chemical approach in vitro. Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715-7 were used. Eight antimicrobial agents (Sanguinaria extract;SG, Chlorhexidine digluconate;CHX, Fluoride;F, Propolis;PP, Hydrogen peroxide;HP, Triclosan;TC, Sodium dodecyl sulfate;SDS Cetylpyridinium chloride; CC) were diluted serially in broth to determine MICs and to compare the growth rate, acid production, hydrophobicity, adhesion activity to saliva coated hydroxyapatite, glucan synthesis and cellular aggregation of experiment groups (in the presence of sub-MICs) with those of control (in the absence of antimicrobial agents). Sub-MICs of antimicrobial agents affected the growth of cells, hydrophobicity, and adhesion of bacteria to saliva coated hydroxyapatite and glucan synthesis. They also resulted in a significant reduction in pH after 12 hours (p<0.05). By cells pretreated with proteinase K, either the aggregation induced by antimicrobial agents was completely inhibited or the aggregation titers were markedly increased. According to the results of the present study, each antimicrobial agent at sub-MICs could affect similar as its known action mechanism and could continually inhibit cariogenic bacteria at such concentrations. Thus, the use of these antimicrobial agents would be one of the effective methods to prevent dental caries.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.1319-1325
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• 2000

Antimicrobial effects of the specific IgY separated from eggs which were laid by hens vaccinated with Streptococcus mutans were investigated. The comparison tests of vaccination, addition levels of crude specific IgY, and innoculation concentration were applied by microscopic observation and turbidity test. Ten% addition of crude specific IgY obtained from vaccinated hens showed agglomerative clusters of S. mutans cells in supernatants and sediments, while crude IgY produced by non-vaccinated hens showed no cluster. IgY addition above 5% showed agglutinating clusters of most S. mutans cells and there was definite difference between IgY addition below 2.5% and above 5%. Concentration tests of crude IgY revealed that antimicrobial effects were differentiated by addition level and addition over 10% produced satisfactory results with turbidity test. The cluster size was dependent upon concentration of crude IgY addition. $10^5\;cfu/mL$ inoculation showed agglutinated cells and extent of agglomeration was proportional to cell numbers. Study of inoculation levels showed that 10% addition of crude IgY decreased turbidity effectively regardless of number of S. mutans cells. Plaque formation decreased to 75% with 15% addition of specific IgY concentration. These results implied that IgY separated from eggs laid by S. mutans-vaccinated hens might prevent dental caries caused by S. mutans.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.1358-1364
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• 2000

A mixed culture of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria and yeast was used to prepare unique fermented fruit and vegetable beverage which contains bacteriocin. Fruit and vegetable broth fermented by Lactococcus lactis 11454 showed inhibitory activity against foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogens and Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans which is a major causative agent for dental caries. Bacteriocin was detected at the end of fermentation of fruit and vegetables and its antimicrobial activity was stable for 5 weeks during storage at $4^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that the presence of bacteriocin in beverages during fermentation and storage will provide a safeguard against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. To improve flavor of the fermented broth, post-fermentation of the fermented broth was carried out at $4^{\circ}C$ by using yeast isolated from raw material mixture. Total acidity of the post-fermented broth was slightly decreased, but significant increase in the concentration of succinic acid was observed in the post-fermented broth. It was also observed that bitter and disagreeable taste compounds such as phthalates were decreased, and mild acidic and fruity flavor esters and alcohols were increased by the post-fermentation of the fermented broth with yeast.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2017

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which plays a major role in the etiology of human dental caries, is able to tolerate exposure to acid shock in addition to its acidogenicity. We investigated the effects of pH stress on membrane fluidity, activities and expression levels of F-ATPase, and proton permeability in S. mutans. Using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, we observed membrane ordering at pH 4.8 and pH 8.8. The ordering effects were larger at pH 4.8 in cytoplasmic membranes isolated from S. mutans (CMSM). Increasing pH resulted in a decrease in the activities and expression levels of F-ATPase. The proton permeability was decreased at both acidic and alkaline pHs, and the lowest permeability was observed at pH 4.8. The lower permeability at pH 8.8 than pH 6.8 is likely to be caused by the decreased proton influx due to the decreased CMSM fluidity. In addition, it seems to be evident that extremely low permeability at pH 4.8 was caused by the decreased proton influx due to the decreased CMSM fluidity as well as the increased proton efflux due to the increased activity and expression level of F-ATPase. It is likely that CMSM fluidity and F-ATPase activity are two major key factors that determine proton permeability in S. mutans. We suggest that CMSM fluidity plays an important role in the determination of proton permeability, which sheds light on the possibility of using nonspecific membrane fluidizers, e.g., ethanol, for anti-caries purposes.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.358-366
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• 2009

Lactic acid bacteria worked positively on gastrointestinal tract and oral environment. So I selected commercial five fermented milks and milk, and then I evaluated their effect of growth inhibition and biofilm formation of cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans. And also calculated the acidity, buffering capacity, concentration of Ca and P ion and pH change of those drinks. After adding S. mutans to fermented milks viable cell count of S. mutans in milk was not statistically different but those in all fermented milks were decreased as concentration of fermented milk increased. When I measured the amount of formed biofilm in 10% fermented milks and milk with S. mutans and compared with those without S. mutans, the amount was decreased in Active GG and Bulgaris while being increased in Tootee, Ace and milk(P<0.05). The fermented milk with the lowest pH value was E5(3.48${\pm}$0.01), and the highest was Bulgaris(4.19${\pm}$0.02). pH change of the fermented milks and milk with S. mutans was measured. The highest acid producing fermented milk was Bulgaris, and followed by Active GG, Ace, Tootee, E5, Milk. These results indicated that fermented milks had caries activity due to the value of initial acidity and acid producing capacity. But, concentrated fermented milks had the inhibitory effect against S. mutans, and also had high volume of Ca and P ion that protected teeth. So I suggest that they have positive effect on teeth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.587-596
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• 2006

Most of oral streptococci express the Antigen I/II (AgI/II) proteins, cell wall anchored adhesions. AgI/II protein binds to salivary agglutinin glycoprotein, a component of tooth pellicle and to ligands in other bacteria. These associations play important roles in bacterial colonization. Recently, it was reported that diverse host molecules also interact with AgI/II protein and that these interactions induce inflammatory responses from host cells. Among mutans streptococci containing -type hemolytic activity, Streptococcus mutans is a causative agent for dental caries. Compared with many other strains of S. mutans, GS-5 strain is unique in that this bacterium expresses truncated secretory AgI/II protein due to the nonsense mutation in the agI/II gene. This indicates that S. mutans GS-5 has a different clinical role and a recent report supported this idea based on the results from clinically isolated S. mutans strains. Previously, we had cloned agI/II gene from S. mutans GS-5 and generated recombinant N-terminal AgI/II protein. In this study, we further produced a hybridoma line expressing anti-AgI/II monoclonal antibodies named as 1C11A. This antibody showed high sensitivity to AgI/II protein in Western blot and ELISA. This new reagent will provide a basis for investigating the mechanisms of AgI/II-related diseases.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2003

The purpose of this present study was to develop a new way of self-curing acrylic resin, using commercially available polyphosphate, Calgon, which is known to be antimicrobial and safe. For the study, polyphosphate(polyP) was blended with acrylic powder and devided into four groups as follows: no polyP(control), 1% polyP, 2% polyP, and 3% polyP. For the experiment, Streptococcus mutans GS5, Streptococcus sobrinus 6715, Streptococcus gordonii G9B and Challis, Porphyromonas gingivalis 2561, and Candida albicans ATCC 90027 were used. Resin specimens in each group were tested in vitro for the purpose of investigating the effect of polyP on the microbial attachment, growth and hydrophobicity of the resin surface. The results were as follows. 1. PolyP added to the acrylic resin decreased attachment of S. mutans GS5, S. sobrinus 6715, S. gordonii G9B. The greater binding inhibition was found in acrylic resin polymerized with polyP at higher concentrations. 2. The addition of polyP to acrylic resin failed to significantly affect the growth of the tested microorganisms. 3. The addition of polyP to acrylic resin seemed to reduce hydrophobicity of the acrylic resin. PolyP in acrylic resin does not seem to exert a direct antibacterial activity, but rather inhibit attachment of oral bacteria, especially mutans streptococci to saliva-coated acrylic resin. The acrylic resin reduces attachment of streptococci may be due to the decreased hydrophobicity caused by polyP added to the resin. PolyP may be included to acrylic resin to inhibit dental caries which often occurs when removable acrylic resin appliance is placed.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2020

The present study is aimed to assess the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on Streptococcus mutans biofilm through teeth whitening light emitting diode (LED). Planktonic and dynamic biofilm state cultures of S. mutans were used. Erythrosine 20 μM/L was used as the photosensitizer. Irradiation was performed by exposing cultures to clinic and homecare whitening LEDs for 15 minutes. The viability was measured through Colony Forming Unit counts and confocal laser scanning microscopy. aPDT using whitening LEDs and erythrosine significantly decreased the CFU count of S. mutans compared to that in the control group. Dynamic biofilm group showed more resistant features to aPDT compared with planktonic state. Clinic and homecare whitening LED device showed similar antimicrobial effect. The whitening LED, which could irradiate the entire oral arch, showed a significant photodynamic effect on cariogenic S. mutans biofilm. aPDT mediated by erythrosine and LEDs used for teeth whitening exhibited promising antimicrobial activity.