[Sweetening agent, Palatinit under specific consideration as to microbiological and caries-prophylactic aspects]

Several cariogenic bacterial species, a mixed streptococci flora composed of nine species, as well as the plaque- and saliva-mixed flora from human beings were tested for acid production from the sugar substitute palatinit, which was compared to sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and the low molecular carbohydrates sucrose, glucose and fructose. Complementary experiments with gnotobiotic and conventionally fed rats were performed in order to test the cariogenic properties of palatinit and palatinit-chocolate in comparison to xylitol, sorbitol and sucrose and the corresponding chocolate substances. Palatinit and palatinit-chocolate show highly significant lower cariogenic properties than sucrose and sucrose-chocolate. On the basis of these microbiological and animal experiments, the use of palatinit as sugar substitute for caries prophylaxis can be recommended.