Current-induced effects on growth and adhesion properties of Streptococcus mutans in vitro

Current-induced effects on the growth and adhesion of Streptococcus mutans were studied. The spontaneous currents formed between gold-amalgam pairs showed starting current peaks of approximately 200 microA followed by constant currents of approximately 15 microA. The presence of the gold-amalgam pair had no effect on the growth of S. mutans, which was unaffected even when constant potentials of 1000 mV and 2000 mV were used to produce extreme experimental conditions. Three volts or more was needed to inhibit the growth of S. mutans. Organic acids produced by S. mutans during growth had also little or no effect on the magnitudes of the spontaneous currents formed between the gold-amalgam pairs. Adhesion of S. mutans, grown with or without added sucrose, appeared unaffected by spontaneous currents induced by the metal combinations.