ABSTRACT
Streptococcus mutans is the most important causative bacteria of dental caries among the oral bacteria. Lactococcus lactis 1370 was isolated from the oral cavity of child. The effect of Lactococcus lactis 1370 on the formation of artificial plaque by Streptococcus mutans was studied. 1. The insoluble substances and bacteria were much more attached on the wall of disposable cuvette in the culture of Streptococcus mutans than in the combined culture of Streptococcus mutans and Lactococcus lactis 1370. 2. The mean weight of produced artificial plaque on the wires in the beaker was 131.7 mg in the culture of Streptococcus mutans only, whereas being reduced to 6.4 mg in the combined culture of Streptococcus mutans and Lactococcus lactis 1370 (p<0.05). The viable cell didn't show the significant difference between them after culturing. 3. When Streptococcus mutans was cultured in the media containing culture supernatant of Lactococcus lactis 1370 cultured in M17 broth containing 0.5% yeast extract and 5% sucrose, the mean weight of produced artificial plaque was 8.0 mg on the wires, whereas being 125.4 mg in the media without culture supernatant of Lactococcus lactis 1370 (p<0.05). The viable cell didn't show the significant difference between them after culturing. 4. When Streptococcus mutans was cultured in the media containing soluble polymer produced by Lactococcus lactis 1370, the mean weight of produced artificial plaque was significantly reduced compared with being cultured in the media without soluble polymer (p<0.05). The viable cell didn't show the significant difference between them after culturing. 5. The soluble polymer produced by Lactococcus lactis 1370 was glucan. 6. The glucan produced by Lactococcus lactis 1370 was water-soluble glucan containing alpha-1,6-glucose linkage as the main linkage. These results suggest that the artificial plaque formed by Streptococcus mutans is inhibited by water-soluble glucan produced by Lactococcus lactis 1370.