Abstract
The aim of this study was to find out whether liquorice-containing
starch gel could affect plaque accumulation and its microbial composition.
Sixteen healthy volunteers (mean age: 30.4±6.9 years) used 6 g of either
control [8% acid-hydrolyzed corn starch, 25% maltitol syrup, water (w/w)] or
liquorice gel (control + 2.5% liquorice extract), three times a day for 2
weeks. The gels were used in a random order with a 2-week washout period in
between. At the end of each fortnight, plaque was allowed to accumulate for 2
days and all available plaque from the right side of the mouth was collected,
weighed, and transferred to transport medium. The plaque on the left side was
dyed and photographed in a standardized manner. Mutans streptococci, total
streptococci, and facultative bacteria were assessed from the plaque using
plate culturing. Plaque index (0−5) of incisors and canines on the left
side was evaluated from the photographs. The clinical study was preceded by an
in vivo acid production test. The acid production from gels containing
2.5–10% liquorice extract was monitored with a microelectrode. The in vivo
acid production potential of the maltitol-containing starch gel was about 50%
compared to the sucrose control. Liquorice inhibited acid production from the
gel. In the clinical study, the weight of plaque after consumption of the
liquorice gel did not differ from that of the control gel. No differences were
found in the microbial counts nor in the plaque index between the two gels.
In addition, the liquorice gel had no effect on the stability of the
predominant bacterial populations of the plaque samples of 16 individuals as
detected by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, an
addition of liquorice extract to starch-containing gel with a low acid
production potential had no effect on the plaque formed during a 2-week gel
consumption period.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 108-113 |
Journal | Clinical Oral Investigations |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- liquorice
- glycyrrhizin
- starch
- plaque
- mutans streptococci
- acid production