The antimicrobial potential of stevia in an in vitro microbial caries model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of stevia on caries development when incorporated into a cariogenic diet in a controlled microbial caries model.


METHODS
56 bovine tooth specimens (4 x 4 mm) were divided into four groups, each secured in a caries-forming vessel. All vessels were placed on an electric stirrer inside a 37°C incubator. The specimens were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans, and exposed for 4 days to circulating cycles of tryptic soy broth supplemented with 5% sucrose-TSBS (three x/day), and a mineral wash solution. Between TSBS cycles (three x/day), each group received one of four experimental solutions: phosphate buffer (PBS-negative control), 0.5% stevia solution, 5% stevia solution, or 5% xylitol solution. Development of caries lesions was analyzed using enamel surface hardness. Difference in Vickers Hardness between pre and post-treatment was calculated to determine caries development. Plaque was dislodged from six specimens per group, and the CFU/ml calculated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at 95% confidence level, and individual group differences calculated using Tukey's test.


RESULTS
5% xylitol resulted in significantly less plaque at the end of the study compared to PBS and 5% stevia, but not significantly different than 0.5% stevia. 5% stevia had significantly softer lesions than the other groups, while there was no significant difference in hardness scores between 5% xylitol, 0.5% stevia and PBS.
Kishta-
Maryam
M
Derani
Gisele F
GF
Neiva
James R
JR
Boynton
Youngjoo E
YE
Kim
Margherita
M
Fontana
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms; D002417:Cattle; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological; D036625:Stevia; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents