Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
07:47
Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases
Published on: January 1, 2016
Probiotic lactobacilli interfere with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation in vitro
Eva M Söderling1, Aino M Marttinen, Anna L Haukioja
1Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. eva.soderling@utu.fi
Current Microbiology
|September 14, 2010
Summary
Probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus strains, effectively inhibited Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation in vitro. This antimicrobial activity was found to be pH-dependent, with some strains showing greater efficacy than others.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Health
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Clinical studies indicate probiotic bacteria can reduce salivary mutans streptococci (MS).
- Streptococcus mutans is a primary pathogen in dental caries, forming biofilms.
- Understanding probiotic interference with S. mutans is crucial for oral hygiene strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of different Lactobacillus probiotic strains in inhibiting Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation.
- To investigate the antimicrobial activity of probiotic lactobacilli (LB) culture supernatants against S. mutans.
- To determine the role of pH in the antimicrobial activity of LB against S. mutans.
Main Methods:
- Biofilm formation assays using four S. mutans strains and four Lactobacillus strains (L. rhamnosus GG, L. plantarum 299v, L. reuteri PTA 5289, L. reuteri SD2112).
- Assessment of MS adherence and growth on a glass surface in the presence of LB.
- Evaluation of the effect of LB culture supernatants on MS viability.
- Measurement of pH in LB culture supernatants.
Main Results:
- All tested LB significantly inhibited biofilm formation of clinical S. mutans isolates (P < 0.001).
- L. rhamnosus GG and L. reuteri SD2112 demonstrated stronger inhibition of S. mutans biofilm formation compared to L. plantarum 299v and L. reuteri PTA 5289.
- L. reuteri strains showed reduced efficacy in killing S. mutans and higher supernatant pH compared to L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum.
Conclusions:
- Commonly used probiotic lactobacilli interfere with Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation in vitro.
- The antimicrobial activity of these probiotics against S. mutans is pH-dependent.
- Specific probiotic strains exhibit varying levels of efficacy in inhibiting S. mutans biofilm formation and viability.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
01:29Biofilms
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:27The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:28Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...