Lactobacillus Binding to Streptococcus mutans for Caries Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating dental caries caused by Streptococcus mutans lack effective, food-grade, stable, and easily producible agents that can specifically bind to the bacteria without causing adverse side effects.
Innovation Solution
A microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus species, that is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, resistant to heat and protease treatments, and stable across a wide pH range, is used to aggregate and flush out S. mutans through salivary flow, preventing and treating caries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods for treating dental caries are used, then treatment effectiveness is achieved, but the methods lack stable, food-grade agents that can specifically bind to S. mutans without adverse side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs food-grade lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus species) as temporary, safe agents that bind to S. mutans and are subsequently flushed out through salivary flow. These bacteria serve as a disposable-like mechanism - they perform the binding function effectively and then are naturally eliminated, avoiding accumulation or adverse effects in the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The lactic acid bacteria act as an intermediary substance between the tooth surface and S. mutans. They specifically bind to the bacteria through surface proteins, preventing direct adhesion of S. mutans to teeth while being harmless to the host. The binding is mediated through specific protein-protein interactions that are resistant to heat and proteases.
2Reliability
If binding agents are used to aggregate S. mutans, then caries prevention is achieved, but the agents must remain stable across wide pH ranges and resist heat and protease treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The binding mechanism is designed to be resistant to changes in physical and chemical parameters. The protein-protein binding between the lactic acid bacteria and S. mutans remains effective across a wide pH range (3-8) and is resistant to heat treatment up to 60°C and protease degradation. This parameter resistance ensures the binding agent functions reliably in the varying oral environment.
3Reliability
If live lactic acid bacteria are used for binding, then specific binding to S. mutans is achieved, but the bacteria must maintain viability through food processing and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The lactic acid bacteria are pre-cultured and stabilized before application. They can be incorporated into food products or oral compositions where they maintain viability through standard processing conditions (pasteurization, storage). The bacteria are prepared in advance to ensure they retain binding capability when applied to the oral cavity, whether as live cultures or in formulations designed to preserve their functional properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The Lactobacillus species effectively prevents and treats dental caries by specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, maintaining its binding capability even after thermal inactivation or lyophilization, making it suitable for use in food, feed, and oral applications without adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent
Implementation Method 2
mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans
Implementation Method 3
an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet. Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.