Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus play important roles in dental caries. Coptis chinensis is a natural product with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria; however, its effects on oral streptococci are still unknown. Therefore, the effects of C. chinensis on the growth and biofilm formation of the representative cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus were investigated for the possible use of C. chinensis as an anticaries agent. The C. chinensis extract was diluted with sterile distilled water, and 0.1–2.5% of the extract was used in the experiment. The effects of the C. chinensis extract on the growth and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were measured by viable cell counting and spectrophotometry at 650 nm absorbance, respectively. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to confirm the C. chinensis extract’s inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. The C. chinensis extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus at concentrations of ≥ 0.3% as compared with the control group. The viable cell count of colonies decreased by 1.7-fold and 1.2-fold at 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, compared with the control group. The biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was inhibited by > 20-fold at C. chinensis extract concentrations of ≥ 1.25% as compared with the control group. In summary, the C. chinensis extract inhibited the growth and biofilm and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus . Therefore, C. chinensis might be a potential candidate for controlling dental caries.

Cronobactersakazakii is a newly emerging high hazard pathogen, which causes encephalomeningitis and necrotic colitis. Recently, successful biocontrol of harmful microorganisms in several foods through the use of bacteriophages has been reported. In this study, bacteriophages were isolated from kimchi and sewages. Morphological analysis by TEM indicated that phages belonged to the Myoviridae family. In case of heat stability, KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phages were susceptible to temperatures above 70oC. KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phages inhibited the growth of C. sakazakii in culture broth. When KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phages were applied to biofilm-formed C. sakazakii, C. sakazakii was efficiently reduced. Therefore, newly isolated KCES2 and ESP 2949-2 phage for C. sakazakii might effectively reduce C. sakazakii in various foods.

This paper discussed about the effect of Zoogloea ramigera on the initial microorganism attachment and the biofilm growth. The additions of 5, 10 and 15%(w/w) of Zoogloea ramigera were facilitated for the initial attachment on the surface of the acryl disk. At biofilm growth, the more Zoogloea ramigera added to the activated sludge, the more biofilm dry weight was obtained. In order to get the stable biofilm and to minimize the start-up periods, initial biofilm formation using activated sludge with floe forming microorganisms like Zoogloea ramigera was recommended rather than that without floe forming microorganisms.