[Influence of culture media on the growth of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 in the presence of various carbohydrates and their derivatives].

The growth of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25 175 has been studied in the presence of various sugars (sorbitol, mannitol, lycasin, sorbose and xylitol) and compared to sucrose, glucose and fructose, added to a complex and a synthetic culture medium. In these two media, the decrease in pH was related to the bacterial growth; this fact was confirmed by the dosages of the liberated lactic acid. In the complex medium, the different sugars influenced only slightly the bacterial growth, whereas in the synthetic medium the micro-organisms did not grow in the presence of sorbose, xylitol or lycasin 80/55. An adaptation period was necessary before the beginning of bacterial growth in the synthetic medium supplemented with sorbitol and mannitol.