Antibacterial Activity against Cariogenic Bacteria and Inhibition of Insoluble Glucan Production by Free Fatty Acids Obtained from Dried Gloiopeltis furcata

Abstract

Antibacterial substance for mutans streptococci was obtained from dried Gloiopeltis furcata by chromatographic separation. The substance was determined to be a mixture of free fatty acids (FFAs), from the results of instrumental analyses. The FFAs obtained showed moderate antibacterial activity against mutans streptococci, with minimal inhibitory concentration values between 25 and 50μg/ml. These FFAs also inhibited insoluble glucan production catalyzed by glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus sobrinus. Experiments carried out by using commercially available fatty acids indicated that unsaturated fatty acids showed more potent inhibition against insoluble glucan production than saturated fatty acids.