Streptococcus mutans extracellular DNA levels depend on the number of bacteria in a biofilm

Streptococcus mutans is a component of oral plaque biofilm that accumulates on the surface of teeth. The biofilm consists of extracellular components including extracellular DNA (eDNA). This study was conducted to investigate the factors that may affect the eDNA levels of S. mutans in biofilms. For the study, S. mutans UA159 biofilms were formed for 52 h on hydroxyapatite (HA) discs in 0% (w/v) sucrose +0% glucose, 0.5% sucrose, 1% sucrose, 0.5% glucose, 1% glucose, or 0.5% sucrose +0.5% glucose. Acidogenicity of S. mutans in the biofilms was measured after biofilm formation (22 h) up to 52 h. eDNA was collected after 52 h biofilm formation and measured using DNA binding fluorescent dye, SYBR Green I. Biofilms cultured in 0.5% sucrose or glucose had more eDNA and colony forming units (CFUs) and less exopolysaccharides (EPSs) than the biofilms cultured in 1% sucrose or glucose at 52 h, respectively. The biofilms formed in 0% sucrose +0% glucose maintained pH around 7, while the biofilms grown in 0.5% sucrose had more acidogenicity than those grown in 1% sucrose, and the same pattern was shown in glucose. In conclusion, the results of this study show that the number of S. mutans in biofilms affects the concentrations of eDNA as well as the acidogenicity of S. mutans in the biofilms. In addition, the thickness of EPS is irrelevant to eDNA aggregation within biofilms.