GROWTHINHIBITIONOF Streptococcus mutans USING NANOCERIA

A leading cause of tooth decay stems from the build-up of microbes and the formation of biofilms on the surfaces of teeth. Oral health is impacted by this proliferation of bacteria, which often produce harmful acids as by-products of metabolism. In particular, the oral bacteria Streptococcus mutans metabolizes sugars into lactic acid and plays a prevalent role in tooth decay. Research regarding the nanoparticle cerium oxide (nanoceria, CeO2) shows nanoceria as a potential antimicrobial agent and biofilm disruptor through the lysis of bacterial cell walls. We propose that synthesized nanoceria can be utilized as an inhibitor of S. mutans; by reducing growth and lactic acid production, tooth decay may be reduced. We first studied the growth pattern of S. mutans through optical density (OD) and colony-forming unit (CFU) measurements. Next, we examined the effect of nanoceria on lactic acid production through pH tests conducted at varying sucrose concentrations. After initial measurements were taken, the antimicrobial effect of nanoceria on pH and OD was studied. Preliminary tests showed nanoceria inhibiting lactic acid production and decreasing the log phase of the bacteria, and future trials will further examine these associations. In the future, these findings could support using nanoceria in dental applications as an antibacterial agent.