Cariostatic activity of cacao mass extract

Chocolate is suspected to contain some caries-inhibitory substances. The ca riostatic activity of cacao mass extract (CM), the main component of chocol ate, was examined in vitro and in experimental animals. CM showed no detect able effects on the cellular growth and acid production of mutans streptoco cci. On the other hand, the cell-surface hydrophobicity of mutans streptoco cci was significantly reduced by the presence of CM. Furthermore, insoluble glucan synthesis by the glucosyltransferases from either Streprococcus mut ans MT8148R or Strep. sobrinus 6715 was inhibited by CM, but not significan tly. Hence, the sucrose-dependent cell adherence of mutans streptococci was also depressed by CM. Finally, CM in both a 40% sucrose diet and drinking water resulted in reductions of caries development and plaque accumulation in rats infected with Strep. sobrinus 6715, but not significantly. These re sults indicate that cacao mass extract possesses some anticariogenic potent ial, but its anticaries activity is not strong enough to suppress significa ntly the cariogenic activity of sucrose. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.