Inhibition of Cariogenic Factors of Mutans Streptococci by Persimmon Tannin

Persimmon tannin is especially known well as a fruit polyphenol. It inhibited the growth of streptococci of the mutans group. It also exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on glucosyltransferase-1(GTase-1) activity. The sucrose-dependent adherence of the bacterial cells was examined with persimmon tannin in vitro. The tannin inhibited the production of adherent materials at the lowest concentration among the polyphenolstested. Persimmon tannin exhibited an inhibitory effect on cariogenic factors at the steps of tooth-decaying bacterial growth, insoluble glucan synthesis, and dental plaqueformation, and is expected to be a used for the prevention of dental caries.