A microcalorimetric comparison of the anti-Streptococcus mutans efficacy of plant extracts and antimicrobial agents in oral hygiene formulations

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 'natural' putative antim icrobial agents against Streptococcus mutans and to compare these with synt hetic agents using the flow microcalorimeter. Streptococcus mutans is one o f the oral pathogens responsible for dental caries. Methods and Results: Traditional microbiological techniques are invasive an d destructive unlike flow microcalorimetry. This rapid technique was used t o continuously monitor the power output (bioactivity) of Strep. mutans with reproducibility, precision and accuracy. The antibacterial agents found in oral hygiene products and all the natural agents tested showed anti-Strep. mutans ability. Conclusions: In this study microcalorimetry; identified agents that had a b iological effect and quantified the rate of kill achieved enabling four bro ad categories of antimicrobial agent to be defined. Significance and Impact of the Study: Microcalorimetric data are a better i ndication of antimicrobial efficacy than merely determining concentrations at which an antimicrobial agent is bacteriostatic or bactericidal.