Influence of Essential Oils on the Formation of Streptococcus mutans Biofilms

The accumulation of biofilm by Streptococcus mutans bacteria on dental hard tissues leads to dental caries which remains one of the most common oral diseases. Therefore, the development of new antibacterial agents is critical. The aim of the study was to analyze the component composition of essential oils for 4 species of common Kazakh plants (Hyssopus ambiguus (Trautv.) Iljin., Nepeta cataria L., Origanum vulgare L., Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam) and study their effect on the formation of biofilms of Streptococcus mutans. After hydrodistillation, the chemical composition of essential oils was analyzed using gas chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometry. The amount of biofilm formed by the bacteria Streptococcus mutans was assessed using the colorimetric method and optical profilometry. Results. Using GC-MS analysis, the chemical composition of 4 plant species of the Lamiaceae family was established. 1.8-cineole is the main ingredient for the essential oils of Hyssopus ambiguus and Nepeta cataria, carvacrol for Origanum vulgare, pullegon for Ziziphora clinopodioides, and nepetolactone for Nepeta cataria. As a result of the experiment Origanum vulgare and Nepeta cataria essential oils demonstrated the highest suppressive effect on S. mutans biofilm formation in the medium containing 1% sucrose. Conclusion. The results of the research can be used to develop new therapeutic and prophylactic dental products.