The Effects of Sugar Alcohols on The Growth of Cariogenic Bacteria

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of sugar alcohols, commonly used as sugar substitutes to reduce the activity of dental caries causing bacteria. Specifically, the sugar alcohols xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and mannitol were placed into the growth media of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The effects on their bacterial growth were observed. 10% xylitol, 10% erythritol, 10% sorbitol, 10% mannitol, 5% xylitol + 5% erythritol, and 3.3% erythritol + 3.3% xylitol + 3.3% sorbitol combinations were compared to the control groups for differences in bacterial growth. S. mutans samples were significantly inhibited by all groups except sorbitol and mannitol. L. acidophilus samples were significantly inhibited by all groups. 10% erythritol reduced bacterial growth the most amongst all of the single sugar alcohol solutions for both bacterial groups. The xylitol + erythritol combination reduced S. mutans growth the most amongst all groups. This suggests that S. mutans may be vulnerable to the synergistic effects of more than one sugar alcohol and further research should be conducted to analyze their usefulness.