Effects of 2-deoxy D-glucose and other sugar analogues on acid production from sugars by human dental plaque bacteria.

Solutions (10-25 microM) of D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and maltotriose were readily metabolised to acid (140-250 mumol H+ wet g-1h-1) by anaerobic suspensions of fresh plaque at pH 7.5. D-Mannose, D-galactose, D-glucosamine and trehalose were broken down more slowly (35-115 mumol H+ wet g-1h-1). Inhibition of this acid production occurred on adding excess amounts of 2-deoxy-D-glucose or 5-thio-D-glucose. Similarly, excess amounts of cellobiose specifically inhibited acid liberation from lactose. No acid production was detected from a number of other sugars and sugar derivatives, some of which may be useful sucrose substitutes.