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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.
Active
acids
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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