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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
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Looking Outwards: Isolation of Cyanobacterial Released Carbohydrate Polymers and Proteins
Published on: May 27, 2019
[Study on exopolysaccharides produced by planktonic and attached Streptococcus sobrinus]
Dan Jiang1, Mei-Zhi Ning, Jian-Ping Ge
1Department of Endodontics, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue = Shanghai Journal of Stomatology
|March 23, 2007
Summary
Streptococcus sobrinus produces more insoluble exopolysaccharides when attached, potentially explaining the high cariogenic nature of bacteria in biofilms. Soluble exopolysaccharide production remained similar.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Health Research
Background:
- Streptococcus sobrinus is a key bacterium implicated in dental caries.
- Bacterial biofilms contribute to persistent oral infections and enhanced virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify exopolysaccharide production by Streptococcus sobrinus under varying conditions.
- To compare exopolysaccharide synthesis between planktonic and biofilm-forming S. sobrinus.
Main Methods:
- Culturing S. sobrinus in Todd- Hewitt (TS) broth on cover slips to form biofilms.
- Quantifying soluble and insoluble exopolysaccharides using the anthrone method.
- Analyzing data with SPSS 10.0 and Dunnett's t test.
Main Results:
- Attached S. sobrinus produced significantly more insoluble exopolysaccharides than planktonic cells across all tested sucrose concentrations (P<0.05).
- Soluble exopolysaccharide production showed no significant difference between attached and planktonic S. sobrinus (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
- The adherent phase enhances insoluble exopolysaccharide synthesis in S. sobrinus.
- Increased insoluble exopolysaccharide production in biofilms may contribute to the high cariogenic potential of S. sobrinus.
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