The Japanese Fermented Food Natto Inhibits Sucrose-dependent Biofilm Formation by Cariogenic Streptococci

  • Iwamoto Aya
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
  • Nakamura Tomoyo
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
  • Narisawa Naoki
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
  • Kawasaki Yukimasa
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
  • Abe Shin
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
  • Torii Yasuyoshi
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
  • Senpuku Hidenobu
    Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
  • Takenaga Fumio
    Department of Food Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University

Search this article

Description

<p>Our previous study indicated that certain commercially available proteases inhibit biofilm formation by cariogenic streptococci. Natto made from soybeans cultured with Bacillus subtilis natto contains an abundance of proteolytic enzymes. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the protease activity of extracts from 36 commercially available natto products and the inhibition of biofilm formation. The biofilm inhibitory effect was found to correlate with the level of protease activity in the natto extracts, without reducing the viable cell numbers. The natto extract markedly inhibited the production of a water-insoluble glucan by Streptococcus mutans, which is the main agent involved in the formation of biofilm by cariogenic streptococci. The characteristics of the protease present in the extract were similar to those of nattokinase. Our results indicate that the protease activity exhibited by extracts of the Japanese fermented food natto reduces the risk of caries by inhibiting biofilm formation.</p>

Journal

Citations (4)*help

See more

References(29)*help

See more

Related Projects

See more

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top