Mutanase from Trichoderma harzianum inductively Produced by Mutan: Short-Term Treatment to Degrade Mature Streptococcus mutans Biofilm

This study aimed to evaluate the disruptive effect of fungal mutanase against cariogenic biofilm after short-term treatment. For that, mature Streptococcus mutans biofilms (n = 9) were exposed to active or inactivated enzymes produced by Trichoderma harzianum for 1 min, two times per day. Biofilms were analyzed by amount of matrix water-insoluble polysaccharides, bacterial viability, acidogenicity, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The group treated with active enzymes (AE) had a significantly lower amount of insoluble polysaccharides (893.30 & PLUSMN; 293.69) when compared to the negative control group (NaCl, 2192.59 & PLUSMN; 361.96), yet no significant difference was found when comparing to the positive control group (CHX, 436.82 & PLUSMN; 151.07). Also, there was no significant effect on bacteria metabolism and viability (P-value < 0.05). Data generated by the quantitative analysis were confirmed through scanning electron microscopy images. Thus, fungal mutanase degraded the biofilm after a short-term treatment without interfering with bacterial viability and metabolism. Such findings offer insight to the development of routine oral care products containing this input.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the disruptive effect of fungal mutanase on cariogenic biofilm. Mature Streptococcus mutans biofilms were exposed to fungal enzymes for short-term treatment. The active enzymes significantly reduced insoluble polysaccharide content in the biofilm compared to the negative control group, without affecting bacterial viability and metabolism. These findings suggest that fungal mutanase could be used in oral care products.