Study the action of enzyme alginate lyase on plaque forming bacteria (Streptococcus mutans)

Abstract

Students at Chandigarh University conducted an experiment to investigate the action of alginate lyase against plaque-forming Streptococcus mutans. In the experiment, students made two cultures. The first is a pure culture of Streptococcus mutans, and the second is a plaque biofilm containing all other microorganisms. Then another liquid culture of alphaproteobacteria is formed for the extraction of the alginate lyase enzyme. After the formation of bacterial cultures and the extraction of enzyme, a comparative study is done for the action of enzyme on culture A (S. mutans) and culture B (plaque biofilm). During the observations, students found that after the addition of alginate lyase to the system, S. mutans were unable to produce the polysaccharide matrix that made them the major bacterium responsible for the dental biofilm, and in culture B, a slight dispersion of biofilm was seen. Biofilm cannot adhere to solid surfaces due to the action of alginate ligase.