Probiotic Weissella cibaria displays antibacterial and anti-biofilm effect against cavity-causing Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is a significant contributor to dental caries and causes functional and aesthetic discomfort. Weissella cibaria strains were isolated from kimchi, and their functional properties were determined. In this study, the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of four W. cibaria strains (D29, D30, D31, and B22) were evaluated against three S. mutans strains using culture fluid and cell-free supernatants. The results showed that W. cibaria reduced the exopolysaccharides production and auto-aggregation, increased co-aggregation, and downregulated virulence factors, leading to the inhibition of bacterial growth and biofilm formation. These findings were confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. These results indicate that oral health can be potentially improved by W. cibaria. •Streptococcus mutans is a significant contributor to dental caries.•Weissella cibaria strains were determined the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects.•W. cibaria reduced the exopolysaccharides production and auto-aggregation.•W. cibaria increased co-aggregation, and downregulated virulence factors.•These findings were confirmed using SEM and CLSM.