J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2023 Sep;47(3):99-105. 10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.3.99.

Influence of carbonated drinks on acid production in Streptococcus mutans biofilm

• Jung HY
• Oh HW
• Jeon JG

• KMID: 2546504
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2023.47.3.99

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of carbonated drinks on acid production in Streptococcus mutans biofilm.
Methods
Fifty one hour-old S. mutans biofilms were formed on hydroxyapatite discs. After selecting of the carbonated drinks (Coca cola, Coca cola zero sugar, Sprite, Sprite zero sugar, and Fanta), as well as negative (water) and positive (1% sucrose) controls for this study, glycolytic pH drop assay was performed using the S. mutans biofilms. The influence of the test agents on acid production of the 51 h-old biofilms was determined by the initial production rate and final concentration of protons, calculated using the pH values at 0-30 min and 120 min, respectively.
Results
The pH values of the carbonated drinks ranged from 2.4 to 3.1. Sugar-free carbonated drinks and the negative control maintained the pH of acid produced by S. mutans biofilms above the critical pH. The sugar-added carbonated drinks and the positive control decreased the pH below the critical pH due to the acid production of S. mutans biofilms. Overall, sugar concentration in carbonated drinks was closely related to acid production in S. mutans biofilm.
Conclusions
These results suggest that sugar-added carbonated beverages should be considered for their role in dental erosion and dental caries, while non-sugar-added carbonated beverages should emphasize their role in dental erosion rather than dental caries.

Keyword

Acid production; Biofilm; Carbonated drinks; Streptococcus mutans

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation and experimental scheme for the present study. (A) Experimental scheme and pH adjustment of the test drinks for the determination of S. mutans biofilm acid production. (B) pH of the test carbonated drinks before pH adjustment. (C) pH of the test carbonated drinks after adding to salt solution. Coke, 0-coke, 0-sprite are abbreviations of Coca cola, Coca cola zero sugar, and Sprite zero sugar, respective.

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  Fig. 2 Influence of carbonated drinks on the acid production of 51-hour-old Strptococcus mutans biofilm cells. Values followed by the same superscript are not significantly different from each other (P>0.05). Coke, 0-coke, 0-sprite are abbreviations of Coca cola, Coca cola zero sugar, and Sprite zero sugar, respective.

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  Fig. 3 Initial rate of hydrogen production by Streptococcus mutans biofilms treated with carbonated drinks. (A) Initial rate of hydrogen production by 51-hour-old Streptococcus mutans biofilms treated with carbonated drinks. (B) Relationship between initial rate of hydrogen production by 51-hour-old Streptococcus mutans biofilms and sugar concentration (the final concentrations tested) of carbonated drinks. Values followed by the same superscript are not significantly different from each other (P>0.05). Coke, 0-coke, 0-sprite are abbreviations of Coca cola, Coca cola zero sugar, and Sprite zero sugar, respective.

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  Fig. 4 Total produced concentration of hydrogen ion by Streptococcus mutans biofilms treated with carbonated drinks. (A) Total produced concentration of hydrogen ion by 51-hour-old Streptococcus mutans biofilms treated with carbonated drinks. (B) Relationship between total produced concentration of hydrogen ion by 51-hour-old Streptococcus mutans biofilms and sugar concentration (the final concentrations tested) of carbonated drinks. Values followed by the same superscript are not significantly different from each other (P>0.05). Coke, 0-coke, 0-sprite are abbreviations of Coca cola, Coca cola zero sugar, and Sprite zero sugar, respective.

Reference

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