[The adaptive responses of human oral microorganisms to sorbitol]

It was the goal of this study to evaluate the extent to which sorbitol is metabolized by the oral microflora of persons adapted to this sugar substitute (diabetics). Resting saliva of 25 test persons with juvenile diabetes mellitus was incubated with sorbitol or sucrose in the Warburg-system both under aerobic and under anaerobic conditions. Saliva of 25 healthy persons served as control. Sorbitol was metabolized faster and to a higher total amount in the diabetic group. These results indicate that if sorbitol is offered continuously, the oral microflora will adapt and will metabolize sorbitol to a considerably higher extent.