Modulation of Biofilm Formation and Permeability in Streptococcus mutans During Exposure to Zinc Acetate

Kara M. Buzza, Alain Pluen, Christopher Doherty, Tanaporn Cheesapcharoen, Gurdeep Singh, Ruth G. Ledder, Prem K. Sreenivasan, Andrew J. Mcbain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The penetration of biofilms by antimicrobials is a potential limiting factor in biofilm control. This is relevant to oral health, where compounds used to control microbial growth and activities could also affect the permeability of dental plaque biofilm with secondary effects on biofilm tolerance. We have investigated the effects of zinc salts on the permeability of Streptococcus mutans biofilms. Biofilms were grown with low concentrations of zinc acetate-(ZA) and a transwell transportation assay was applied to test biofilm permeability in an apical-basolateral direction. Crystal violet assays and total viable counts were used to quantify biofilm formation and viability, respectively, and short timeframe diffusion rates within microcolonies were determined using spatial Intensity Distribution Analysis (SpIDA). Whilst diffusion rates within biofilm microcolonies were not significantly altered, exposure to ZA significantly increased the overall permeability of S. mutans biofilms (p
Original languageEnglish
JournalMicrobiology spectrum
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 6 Jan 2023

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