Isolation and characterization of Enterococcus faecium DSM 20477 with ability to secrete antimicrobial substance for the inhibition of oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans UKMCC 1019.

Unlabelled: Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans are the main oral pathogens which contribute to dental caries that affects all ages of human being.

Objectives: This study focuses on the potential of crude cell free supernatant (CCFS) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to inhibit of the growth of S. mutans UKMCC 1019.

Design: A total of 61 CCFS from LAB strains were screened for their inhibitory ability against S. mutans UKMCC 1019 by broth microdilution method. The selected LAB with highest antimicrobial activity was identified and its CCFS was characterized for pH stability, temperature tolerance, enzyme sensitivity, metabolism of carbohydrates, enzymatic activities and antimicrobial activity against S. mutans UKMCC 1019 and C. albicans UKMCC 3001 by well diffusion assay. The effect of CCFS on cell structure of S. mutans UKMCC 1019 was observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: The CCFS from isolate CC2 from Kimchi showed the highest inhibition against S. mutans UKMCC 1019, which was 76.46 % or 4406.08 mm/mL and it was identified to be most closely related to Enterococcus faecium DSM 20477 based on 16 s rRNA sequencing. The CCFS of E. faecium DSM 20477 had high tolerance to acidic and alkaline environment as well as high temperature. It also shows high antifungal activities against C. albicans UKMCC 3001 with 2362.56 mm/mL. Under TEM, the cell walls and the cytoplasm membrane of S. mutans UKMCC 1019 were disrupted by the antimicrobial substance, causing cell lysis.

Conclusions: Hence, the CCFS from E. faecium DSM 20477 is a potential bacteriocin in future for the treatment of dental caries.