Carbohydrate metabolism related to cariogenicity of oral Bifidobacterium

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20635
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Social dentistry
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: ABIKO YUKI 東北大学, 歯学研究科, 助教 (00470170)
• Research Collaborator: MANOME Ayumi ; KAMEDA Mai ; KAWASHIMA Junko ; WASHIO Jumpei
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 齲蝕 / Bifidobacterium / 糖代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bifidobacterium have recently been detected in carious lesions. Thus, the purpose was to examine the cariogenic potential of oral Bifidobacterium by analyzing the carbohydrate metabolism and acidic end-products. In addition, intracellular polysaccharide was characterized. The acid production of Bifidobacterium was lower than that of S. mutans, and maintained even after 2 hours. Without glucose addition, the acid production was also found. Both with and without glucose, the acid production was higher at pH 5.5 than that at pH 7.0. The main acidic end-product was acetate. Absorption spectrum indicated that the intracellular polysaccharide was glycogen-like. Bifidobacterium showed a higher acid production at pH 5.5 than 7.0, and had a considerable amount of glycogen-like intracellular polysaccharides, suggesting that oral Bifidobacterium can maintain and promote the environment of carious lesions, i.e. sugar limit and acidic.

Free Research Field

口腔細菌