Seaweed Enzyme Shows Promise In Fighting Plaque
Seaweed Enzyme May Be an Effective Plaque Fighter An enzyme isolated from a marine bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis, found on the surface of seaweed, may help fight dental plaque. The findings, made by a group of dentists and scientists from Newcastle
Seaweed Enzyme Shows Promise In Fighting Plaque
An enzyme isolated from a marine bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis, found on the surface of seaweed, may help fight dental plaque. The findings, made by a group of dentists and scientists from Newcastle University in Newcastle, England, were presented at the Society for Applied Microbiology Summer Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. One of the researchers, Nicholas Jakubovics, PhD, explained the enzyme’s potential use in products that offer effective protection against biofilms in the oral cavity, saying, “Work in a test tube has shown that this enzyme can cut through [dental biofilms], and we want to harness this power into a paste, mouthwash, or denture-cleaning solution.”
In the oral cavity, biofilms may contain hundreds of species of bacteria protected by a slimy polysaccharide matrix. The researchers found that the marine bacterium emits an enzyme that releases the bacteria from the sticky matrix, making it easier to remove. Grant Burgess, PhD, a professor at Newcastle University, notes, “The enzyme breaks up and removes the bacteria present in plaque and, importantly, it can prevent the buildup of plaque, too.”
The enzyme was discovered while studying techniques for destroying biofilm on the hulls of ships. Other applications for B. licheniformis are also possible, including the protection of prosthetic joints and other medical implants from biofilm infection. Research on the marine bacterium is ongoing, and the team is currently looking for an industry partner.
