Isolation, Identification and Some Cultural Conditions of Streptomyces Species That Produce Water-insoluble Polyglucan Hydrolase

Abstract

Cariogenic streptococci produce tenacious water-insoluble polysaccharides from sucrose and these form the structural intercellular matrix of dental plaque. Two Streptomyces species were isolated from soils on agar medium containing the water-insoluble polyglucan as a sole carbon source. They were identified as Streptomyces werraensis (strain F₁) and Streptomyces chartreusis (strain F₂). These strains produced extracellular enzymes which strongly solubilized the polyglucans from various strains of cariogenic streptococci. Strain F₂ produced polyglucanases under rather stationary cultural condition, while F₁ required vigorous aeration. The polyglucanases may provide a useful measure for the prevention and control of dental plaque formation,