Enzymes of Plaque Polysaccharides and Dental Caries Incidence.
Abstract
Plaque samples from 50 subjects have been obtained in cooperation with the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. These samples were analyzed to determine the activity of the following enzymes--levansucrase, dextrane-sucrase, levanase, and dextranase. It was found necessary to incubate and inactivate the samples before shipment to us. Initial results indicated that only levansucrase, dextransucrase and levanase are present in caries-active subjects and only dextranase dextranase is present in caries-immune subjects. Analysis of samples in June, 1971 indicated a greater activity of the synthetic enzymes in caries-active subjects. The results from analyses of the subsequent samples (38 subjects) showed little or no enzyme activity. It was determined that the most likely reason for the sudden difference in plaque enzyme activity was a change in sample handling procedure prior to the incubation and inactivation steps. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 26, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0736228
Entities
People
- Richard S. Manly
Organizations
- Tufts University