A preliminary study of the synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of synbiotic combination of lactobacilli with konjac glucomannan hydrolysate (GMH) to reduce Streptococcus mutans growth in vitro with the intention of characterising its efficacy as a new approach for oral hygiene.

Strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and S. mutans were grown individually or in combination in modified Columbia base broth supplemented with 2 per cent GMH. Following incubation, the samples were plated on De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe and Columbia blood agar and growth of both strains was assessed.

The probiotic bacteria L. acidophilus was able to “out grow” S. mutans in the presence of konjac glucomannan in the mixed cultures.

The results indicate that consumption of prebiotic and probiotic combinations may play a role as potential prophylactic or therapeutic agents for reducing the presence of organisms in the mouth associated with tooth decay. In order to confirm a beneficial effect of GMH further in vivo in this concept, studies involving healthy human volunteers should be considered.