Antibacterial activity against cariogenic bacteria and inhibition of insoluble glucan production by free fatty acids obtained from dried Gloiopeltis furcata

Antibacterial substance for mutans streptococci was obtained from dried Glo iopeltis furcata by chromatographic separation. The substance was determine d to be a mixture of free fatty acids (FFAs), from the results of instrumen tal analyses. The FFAs obtained showed moderate antibacterial activity agai nst mutans streptococci, with minimal inhibitory concentration values betwe en 25 and 50 mu g/ml. These FFAs also inhibited insoluble glucan production catalyzed by glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus sobrinus. Experiments ca rried out by using commercially available fatty acids indicated that unsatu rated fatty acids showed more potent inhibition against insoluble glucan pr oduction than saturated fatty acids.