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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Concurrent Quantification of Cellular and Extracellular Components of Biofilms
Published on: December 10, 2013
[Effects of chitosans with different molecular weights on Streptococcus sanguis biofilm]
1Department of Oral Medicine, College of Stomatology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China. marui6868@yahoo.com
Purpose:
To investigate the effects of chitosan on Streptococcus sanguis biofilm.
Methods:
Streptococcus sanguis biofilm was formed on saliva-coated glass (SCG) in a flow culture system, then exposed to 2% chitosans with different molecular weights (5 cps, 80 cps, 600 cps) for 3, 10, 30 minutes. Confocal laser scanning microscope and Vital/Dead fluorescent staining technique (vital stained green, dead stained red) were combined to observe the biofilm thickness, bacterial density. Analysis of variance was used for comparison.
Results:
The biofilm thickness and bacterial density reduced significantly after treatment by 2% chitosan. Of all the treatment groups, 5 cps (low molecular weight) chitosan is most effective (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
5 cps (low molecular weight) chitosan seems to be most effective in detaching biofilm.
