Journal of Dental Research, Vol 63, 2-5, Copyright © 1984 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The effects of fatty acids and their monoesters on the metabolic activity of dental plaque
M. L. Hayes
We examined the effects of the saturated series of fatty acids and their
esters on plaque bacterial metabolism. Fatty acids with a chain length of
8-15 carbons inhibited Streptococcus mutans and dental plaque in vitro. The
glycerol monoesters with a fatty acid chain of 10-14 carbons were
inhibitory to a similar extent. The glycolipid (sucrose monolaurate)
reduced plaque bacterial glycolysis and sucrose oxidation in a
non-competitive manner but stimulated sucrose incorporation at low sucrose
concentrations. The relationship between surface activity and inhibition is
discussed, since this may help to explain the anti-caries effects of these
compounds.