Abstract
The cariogenicity of palatinose oligomer was examined with in vitro and in vivo experiments. Mutans streptococci did not ferment palatinose oligomer. Palatinose oligomer inhibited both glucan synthesis by glucosyltransferases prepared from mutans streptoccoci and sucrose-dependent adherence of these organisms to glass surfaces. In the rat infected with mutans streptococci, palatinose oligomer showed significantly lower caries-inducing and plaque forming activity, when compared to sucrose. Moreover, palatinose oligomer inhibited sucrose-induced dental caries in rats infected with S. sobrinus. These results indicate that palatinose oligomer could serve as an excellent anti-cariogenic sweetener.
