Inhibitory effect of sugar alcohols and chitosan on oral pathogens

Objectives:Caries, periodontitis, and candidiasis are representative oral diseases caused by microorganisms. To estimate the preventive efficacy of sugar alcohols and chitosan on oral diseases, we observed the effect of sugar alcohols (xylitol, erythritol, isomalt,and palatinose) and chitosan on the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Candida albicans. Methods: The growth of microorganism was determined by optical density of culture media or colony forming unit. Results:Chitosan, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, and palatinose inhibited the growth of S. mutans at the concentration of 0.0005%, 1%, 5%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. In A. actinomycetemcomitans, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, and palatinose inhibited the growth at the concentration of 1%, 2.5%, 1%, and 5%, respectively. In C. albicans, chitosan, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, and palatinose inhibited the growth at the concentration of 0.005%, 1%, 2.5%, 2.5%, and 1%, respectively. Xylitol and erythritol decreased acid production of S. mutans at the concentration of 1%. Conclusions:These results suggest that chitosan and sugar alcohols included in this study may be used for prophylactic purpose against caries, periodontitis, and candidiasis. Further analysis such as in vivo study will be needed in order to apply these materials as preventive agents.