ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effects of the natural plant ingredients lemon essential oil(LEO),limonene(LIM)and tea poly-phenols(TP)on the cell surface hydrophobicity and adherence of Streptococcus mutans(S.mutans).Methods:S.mutans were treated by sub-minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC)levels of LEO,LIMand TP respectively.Adsorption to hexadecane was used to measure the hydrophobic interaction of S.mutans.A classical 96-cell microtitre plate production assay using crystal violet staining was employed to visualize the adherence of S.mutans to hard tissue surface.Results:LEO,LIMand TP at sub-MIC levels could inhibit the cell sur-face hydrophobicity and adherence of S.mutans in a dose-dependent manner(P <0.05).At 1 /2 MIC and 1 /20 MIC,the inhibitary effect of LEO was stronger than that of LIMand TP(P <0.05).Conclusion:LEO may possess anticariogenic potential.