Effect of Rice Hulls and Other Seed Hulls on Dental Caries Production in the Cotton Rat

¹ University of Texas Dental Branch, Houston, Texas

The anticariogenicity of seed hulls in the cotton rat diet was demonstrated. Rice, peanut, cottonseed, and pecan hulls were evaluated. Rice bran was also found to be anticariogenic. Three varieties of rice hulls were found to contain different amounts of anticariogenic activity. Their relative activities were dependent on whether caries-susceptible or caries-resistant cotton rats were used to evaluate them. The rice hulls [see table in the PDF file] appeared to act synergistically when two varieties were fed in combination. As the dietary level of rice hulls was increased, the degree of caries reduction was also increased. A study of the gross components of the hulls indicated that their concentration was unrelated to the anticariogenic activity of the hulls. It was found that autoclaving partially destroyed the activity of the one rice-hull variety that was studied.

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