Abstract
Human milk oligosaccharides, such as 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic carbohydrate mixture, are being increasingly added to infant formulas, necessitating the understanding of their impact on the oral microbiota. Here, for the first time, the effects of 2'-FL and GOS on the planktonic growth and adhesion characteristics of the caries-associated oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans were assessed, and the results were compared against the effects of xylitol, lactose and glucose. There were differences in S. mutans growth between 2'-FL and GOS. None of the three S. mutans strains grew with 2'-FL, while they all grew with GOS as well as lactose and glucose. Xylitol inhibited S. mutans growth. The adhesion of S. mutans CI 2366 to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite was reduced by 2'-FL and GOS. Exopolysaccharide-mediated adhesion of S. mutans DSM 20523 to a glass surface was decreased with 2'-FL, GOS and lactose, and the adhesion of strain CI 2366 strain was reduced only by GOS. Unlike GOS, 2'-FL did not support the growth of any S. mutans strain. Neither 2'-FL nor GOS enhanced the adhesive properties of the S. mutans strains, but they inhibited some of the tested strains. Thus, the cariogenic tendency may vary between infant formulas containing different types of oligosaccharides.
Highlights
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), a diverse group of carbohydrates, are the third most abundant component in human milk[1]
Recent advances in the production of HMOs have allowed 2 2 0-fucosyllactose (0-FL) to be included in infant formulas to better approximate the composition of breast milk[5,6], since fucosylated oligosaccharides are nearly absent from bovine milk which is used as basis for infant formulas[7]
S. mutans strains DSM 20523, CI 2366 and Ingbritt were unable to grow with 2 0-fucosyllactose (2 0-FL) as the sole carbon source, comparable with the result when no carbon source was added to the Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) growth medium (P > 0·05 for all strains, Fig. 1)
Summary
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), a diverse group of carbohydrates, are the third most abundant component in human milk[1]. GOS are often used in infant formulas to mimic the prebiotic features of human milk[8,9,10]. Several mechanisms have been proposed to interfere with the virulence of S. mutans, such as inhibiting adhesion, preventing growth through non-fermentable carbon sources and affecting biofilm formation[17,18]. Influence of 2 0-fucosyllactose and galacto-oligosaccharides on Streptococcus mutans and other oral bacteria. Breast milk components can alter the composition of the oral microbiota, several of which have been examined with regard to their effects on growth, adhesion and biofilm formation in S. mutans[20,21,22]. Infant formulas contain caries-protective components, such as proteins and Ca, but the carbohydrates in them may increase the risk for caries, especially if bottle feeding is taking place ad libitum, several times a day
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
