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Putative Prebiotics Can Disrupt 3D Architecture and Modulate the Microbial Population to Prevent Cariogenic Biofilm
Vinícius Sampaio Alves de Figueiredo1, Pedro Canto Bueno1, Emilio Alberto Ponce Fuentes1
1Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo 13414-903, Brazil.
ACS Omega
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Arginine and proline effectively reduced dental biofilm formation by modulating microbial populations. Arginine was particularly effective, inhibiting glucan production and biofilm accretion, while urea also hindered fungal growth.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Dental biofilm research
- Prebiotic applications
Background:
- Prebiotics modulate the microbiome to promote homeostasis.
- Dental biofilms, rich in extracellular polymeric substances, contribute to demineralization when dysbiotic.
- Sucrose-rich diets can induce dysbiosis, altering biofilm matrix and promoting acid accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of potential prebiotics on exopolysaccharides, microbial populations, and biofilm formation.
- To identify substances that can inhibit sucrose-derived dental biofilm development.
- To assess the effects of prebiotics on glucan production and microbial community structure.
Main Methods:
- Five potential prebiotics (N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, arginine, proline, sodium nitrate, urea) were tested against a control.
- Streptococcus mutans and mixed-species biofilms were modeled on polystyrene plates and hydroxyapatite discs.
- Assays included measuring insoluble glucan production, bacterial biovolume, and microbial population dynamics in microcosm biofilms.
Main Results:
- Arginine significantly inhibited insoluble glucan production and S. mutans biofilm formation (~90%).
- Arginine and proline reduced biofilm buildup in mixed-species and microcosm models, modulating cariogenic microbial counts.
- Urea hindered early biofilm biomass and acid-resistant microbiota/fungal counts, while N-acetyl-d-glucosamine stimulated growth.
Conclusions:
- Arginine and proline effectively modulated microbial populations and inhibited biofilm accretion, with arginine showing significant anti-glucan activity.
- Urea demonstrated efficacy in impeding fungal growth within biofilms.
- These findings suggest potential prebiotic strategies for managing dental biofilm-associated diseases.
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