The Study On Exopolysaccharides In The Formation Of Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm

Purpose: To elucidate the biofilm structure of Streptococcus mutans in different formation and the spatial distribution of exopolysaccharides in it. To comparatively analyze the exopolysaccharides produced by adhesive S. mutans and planktonic ones and further to investigate the reasons for these differences. Materials and methods: 1. The S. mutans biofilm was made by allowing bacteria to attach to the glasses .The biofilm structure at 1 , 3, 4,5,6,8,12,18,21 and 24 hours and exopolysaccharides distribution were visualized after stained with fluorescent BOBO^?-3 and Calcofluor respectively by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). 2. The amounts of soluble and insoluble exopolysaccharides by adhesive S. mutans and planktonic ones in different culture times was determined by the anthrone method.Results: 1. S. mutans can attach to glass surface and form structural biofilm, in which bacteria were embedded within the EPS glycocalyx polymers and characteristic micro colonies and channels were taken...