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A laboratory microcosm (artificial mouth) for the culture and continuous pH measurement of oral bacteria on surfaces
Author(s) -
Hudson D. E.,
Donoghue Helen D.,
Perrons C. J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1986.tb01737.x
Subject(s) - laboratory flask , microcosm , bacteria , saliva , streptococcus mitis , streptococcus mutans , acidogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , premolar , inoculation , streptococcus , chemistry , food science , biology , dentistry , biochemistry , molar , medicine , environmental chemistry , genetics , methane , immunology , anaerobic digestion , organic chemistry
A laboratory microcosm has been designed for the cultivation of bacteria on surfaces subjected to an adjustable supply of fluids. Bacteria are grown as a microbial film on halved premolar teeth, mounted back to back. Synthetic saliva is dropped slowly over the teeth throughout experiments. A nutrient supplement is provided at regular intervals. The drops of fluid retained by the teeth can be sampled for metabolic end‐products. Alternatively, a miniature glass electrode may be set into one half of a tooth assembly to monitor the pH continuously at the stagnation site between tooth segments. Up to six replicate culture flasks and six electrodes can be accommodated in a single experiment. Satisfactory electrode performance was maintained during 66 h experiments. In initial 48 h experiments, teeth were inoculated with Streptococcus rattus BHT or ‘ Streptococcus mitior’ LPA‐1 in pure culture and provided with 1% (w/v) glucose for 1 h every 6 h. Bacteria produced typical responses to glucose feeds leading to the formation of ‘Stephan’‐like curves of pH‐fall. Under these conditions, ‘ Strep. mitior’ was more acidogenic than Strep. rattus and the pattern of acid production was distinct for each organism.