Acidogenic potential of infant formulas based on lactose and/or maltodextrins

• Grant number: 23/16941-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Social and Preventive Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Antônio Pedro Ricomini Filho
• Grantee: Viviann Sampaio Oliveira Veríssimo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Infant formulas contain different carbohydrates that can be fermented by bacteria in the dental biofilm, contributing to early childhood caries development. However, there is no consensus regarding the cariogenic potential of formulas containing only lactose or maltodextrin, or a mixture of both carbohydrates. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acidogenicity of the biofilm exposed to infant formulas containing different carbohydrates. An experimental, in vitro, and blind study will be conducted using a cariogenic biofilm model of Streptococcus mutans. Hydroxyapatite hemi-discs (Ø 9.0 mm x 1.30 mm) will be vertically positioned in 24-well plates using metal supports and immersed in human saliva to form the pellicle. Subsequently, they will be placed in ultrafiltered culture medium based on tryptone and yeast extract containing 1% glucose with reactivated S. mutans UA159. The biofilms will be formed in the presence of 1% sucrose to ensure richness in extracellular polysaccharides. After 96 hours of formation, the biofilm formed on the blocks (n=3) will be collected for quantification of viable microorganisms and extracellular polysaccharides (soluble and insoluble). The biofilm formed on the remaining blocks (n=3/treatment group) will be exposed to different treatments: (i) purified water (negative control); (ii) 8% sucrose solution (positive control); (iii) formula containing lactose (Nan Supreme 2, Nestlé®); (iv) formula containing maltodextrin (Nan Soja, Nestlé®); and (v) formula containing a mixture of lactose and maltodextrin (Nestogeno, Nestlé®). Six exposures will be conducted, and the pH of the biofilm will be analyzed 45 minutes after each exposure (45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270 minutes) to assess acid production by the bacteria.