Effect of Prebiotics-Enhanced Probiotics on the Growth ofStreptococcus mutans

Abstract

Streptococcus mutanspredominantly creates an acidic environment in an oral cavity. This results in dental demineralization and carious lesions. The probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that modulate the bacterial balance in the digestive system. Prebiotics are defined as nondigestible oligosaccharides that are utilized for the selective stimulation of the beneficial microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the prebiotics, galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), for enhancing the probioticLactobacillus acidophilusATCC 4356, for inhibitingStreptococcus mutans(A32-2) for the prevention of dental caries. The growth rate of theS. mutanssignificantly decreased when cocultured withL. acidophilusin the GOS-supplemented medium at 3%, 4%, and 5%. In the FOS-supplemented medium, the growth rate ofS. mutanssignificantly decreased in all concentrations when cocultured withL. acidophilus. There was no significant difference in the growth rate ofL. acidophilusin all concentrations of either GOS or FOS. It can be concluded that the growth rate ofS. mutanswas significantly retarded when cocultured withL. acidophilusand the proper concentration of prebiotics. These prebiotics have potential for a clinical application to activate the function of the naturally intraoralL. acidophilusto inhibitS. mutans.