Microbes found on seaweed could provide an unexpected weapon in the fight against tooth decay.
Scientists used an enzyme isolated from the marine bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, which they were originally researching for cleaning ships’ hulls.
Instead, the Newcastle University team will tell the Society for Applied Microbiology Summer Conference that it could have a range of medical applications, including teeth cleaning.
While toothpastes are effective, there are still hard-to-reach areas between teeth where the bacteria in plaque can erode enamel, causing cavities.
Nicholas Jakubovics of Newcastle University’s School of Dental Sciences believes better products offering more effective treatment can be made using the enzyme.
He said: “Plaque on your teeth is made up of bacteria that join together to colonise an area in a bid to push out any potential competitors.
“Traditional toothpastes work by scrubbing off the plaque containing the bacteria, but that’s not always effective, which is why people who religiously clean their teeth can still develop cavities.
“Work in a test tube has shown that this enzyme can cut through the plaque or layer of bacteria and we want to harness this power into a paste, mouthwash or denture cleaning solution.”
When threatened, bacteria shield themselves in a slimy, protective barrier known as a biofilm.
It is made up of bacteria held together by a web of extracellular DNA, which binds the bacteria to each other and to a solid surface − in this case in the plaque around the teeth and gums.
The biofilm protects the bacteria from attack by brushing, chemicals or even antibiotics.
But after studying Bacillus licheniformis, which is found on the surface of seaweed, the scientists found that when the bacteria want to move on, they release an enzyme that breaks down the external DNA.
That breaks up the biofilm and releases the bacteria from the web. The team will now look to collaborate with industry to carry out more tests and product development.