Coconut oil could combat tooth decay
8 September BBC
Coconut oil attacks the bacteria behind tooth decay and could be used
in dental care products, according to research.Scientists found that
coconut oil which had been treated with enzymes stopped the growth of
Streptococcus bacteria a major cause of tooth decay.
Tooth decay affects 60% to 90% of children in industralised
countries.Speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's conference,
the Irish researchers say that coconut oil also attacks the yeast which
causes thrush.
The research team from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland
tested the impact of coconut oil, vegetable oil and olive oil in their
natural states and when treated with enzymes, in a process similar to
digestion.
The oils were then tested against Streptococcus bacteria which are
common inhabitants of the mouth.Only the enzyme-modified coconut oil
showed an ability to inhibit the growth of most strains of the bacteria.
It also attacked Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium
which is a major cause of tooth decay.
It is thought that the breaking down of the fatty coconut oil by the
enzymes turns it into acids which are active and effective against
bacteria.
Previous research found that enzyme-modified milk could stop
Streptococcus mutans from binding to tooth enamel. Researchers now want
to look at how coconut oil interacts with Streptococcus bacteria at the
molecular level and which other strains of harmful bacteria it can
inhibit.
Dr Damien Brady who led the research at the Athlone Institute of
Technology with Patricia Hughes, a Masters student, said coconut oil
could be an attractive alternative to chemical additives. "It works at
relatively low concentrations."Also, with increasing antibiotic
resistance, it is important that we turn our attention to new ways to
combat microbial infection."
Their studies are also looking into the workings of antibacterial
activity in the human gut. "Our data suggests that products of human
digestion show antimicrobial activity. This could have implications for
how bacteria colonise the cells lining the digestive tract and for
overall gut health," said Dr Brady.
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