Natural compounds in maple extracts may provide a safe, natural way to prevent tooth decay, particularly in children.
A new study published in Microbiology Spectrum investigated how polyphenols from maple can combat Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria primarily responsible for plaque and cavities. Researchers focused on an enzyme called sortase A (SrtA), which allows the bacteria to attach to teeth by anchoring adhesion proteins to its cell wall.
Through computer modeling and laboratory tests, the team discovered that several maple-derived polyphenols, including (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), can strongly bind to and inhibit SrtA. This inhibition significantly reduced the bacteria’s ability to form biofilms on both tooth-like hydroxyapatite surfaces and acrylic dental models.
Among the compounds tested, ECG was particularly effective, even surpassing EGCG, a similar polyphenol found in green tea. The researchers noted that ECG’s antibacterial effects were consistent across multiple strains of S. mutans.
“Given their efficacy, safety, and natural abundance, we propose that aqueous maple extracts or ECG alone could serve as a safe, cost-effective strategy for preventing dental caries,” the study’s authors concluded.
