title: Influence of a Brazilian wild green propolis on the enamel mineral loss and Streptococcus mutans' count in dental biofilm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the anti-demineralizing and antibacterial effects of a propolis ethanolic extract (EEP) against Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blocks of sound bovine enamel (n=24) were fixed on polystyrene plates. S. mutans inoculum (ATCC 25175) and culture media were added (48 h-37 °C) to form biofilm. Blocks with biofilm received daily treatment (30 μL/1 min), for 5 days, as following: G1 (EEP 33.3%); G2 (chlorhexidine digluconate 0.12%); G3 (ethanol 80%); and G4 (Milli-Q water). G5 and G6 were blocks without biofilm that received only EEP and Milli-Q water, respectively. Final surface hardness was evaluated and the percentage of hardness loss (%HL) was calculated. The EEP extract pH and total solids were determined. S. mutans count was expressed by log10 scale of Colony-Forming Units (CFU/mL). One way ANOVA was used to compare results which differed at a 95% significance level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G2 presented the lowest average %HL value (68.44% ± 12.98) (p=0.010), while G4 presented the highest (90.49% ± 5.38%HL) (p=0.007). G1 showed %HL (84.41% ± 2.77) similar to G3 (87.80% ± 6.89) (p=0.477). Groups G5 and G6 presented %HL=16.11% ± 7.92 and 20.55% ± 10.65; respectively (p=0.952). G1 and G4 differed as regards to S. mutans count: 7.26 ± 0.08 and 8.29 ± 0.17 CFU/mL, respectively (p=0.001). The lowest bacterial count was observed in chlorhexidine group (G2=6.79 ± 0.10 CFU/mL) (p=0.043). There was no difference between S. mutans count of G3 and G4 (p=0.435). The EEP showed pH 4.8 and total soluble solids content=25.9 Brix.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EEP seems to be a potent antibacterial substance against S. mutans dental biofilm, but presented no inhibitory action on the de-remineralization of caries process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julia Gabiroboertz
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science, Federal Fluminense University, Nova Friburgo Campus, Brazil.
authors.forename: Natalia Lopes Pontes
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science, Federal Fluminense University, Nova Friburgo Campus, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luís Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science, Federal Fluminense University, Nova Friburgo Campus, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Luiza Barra
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Couri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucianne Cople
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dental School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: andreagantonio@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Andréa Gonçalves
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Antonio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D001516:Bees; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D006244:Hardness / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007180:Incisor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D011429:Propolis; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Antibacterial activity; Dental biofilm; Microhardness; Propolis; Streptococcus mutans