Quantitative studies of in vitro inhibition of Streptococcus mutans plaque formation by organic amines

The abilities of five, long-chain aliphatic monamines to inhibit the deposition of plaque formed by Streptococcus mutans on stainless-steel wires were determined. The compounds along with their relative inhibitory potencies that were studied are N-methyltetradecylamine, hexadecylamine, dodecylamine, N-ethyldodecylamine, and octylamine. Activities are compared with critical micelle concentrations, partition coefficients, and quantum mechanical charges on the amine nitrogens.