Methods: We screened various materials for their ability to provide visually discernable responses to dissolved thiols, after pretreatment with a thiol detector compound. The propensity of the dried detection reagent to leach from the pad was estimated spectrophotometrically, by challenging rinse-fluid with added thiol. Prototype test strips were placed into a stability study in order to estimate shelf life. Irritancy testing was performed by an independent lab. Finally, we varied the [detection reagent], to determine if different ‘cut-off' result colorations could be achieved.
Results: A porous pad material was identified, which had good physical characteristics and was compatible with the thiol detection reagent and its chromogenic product. Once dried onto the pad, the reagent showed a low propensity to leach upon rehydration, maintained good spectral responses, and showed reasonable stability over time. Pad treatment reagent was found to be non-irritating to cultured gingival tissue cells, when compared to standard oral care products. Finally, by raising or lowering the reagent concentration (amount of detector in the pad), we found we could manipulate the plateau coloration of the test.
Conclusions: Our results suggest test strips employing this technology might be useful as aids in detecting causative agents of halitosis and periodontal diseases.