The effects of fatty acids and their monoesters on the metabolic activity of dental plaque.

We examined the effects of the saturated series of fatty acids and their esters on plaque bacterial metabolism. Fatty acids with a chain length of 8-15 carbons inhibited Streptococcus mutans and dental plaque in vitro. The glycerol monoesters with a fatty acid chain of 10-14 carbons were inhibitory to a similar extent. The glycolipid (sucrose monolaurate) reduced plaque bacterial glycolysis and sucrose oxidation in a non-competitive manner but stimulated sucrose incorporation at low sucrose concentrations. The relationship between surface activity and inhibition is discussed, since this may help to explain the anti-caries effects of these compounds.