Coconut oil is a natural antibiotic that attacks thebacteria causing tooth decay. It could be incorporated into commercial dentalcare products, say scientists.
Researchers from the Athlone Institute of Technology,Ireland, tested the antibacterial action of coconut oil in its natural stateand coconut oil that had been treated with enzymes, in a process similar todigestion.
They found that enzyme-modified coconut oil stronglyinhibited the growth of most strains of Streptococcus bacteria which commonlyinhabit the mouth, including Streptococcus mutans - an acid - producing bugthat is a major cause of tooth decay.
Damien Brady who is leading the research at Athlone, said:"Dental carries is a commonly overlooked health problem affecting 60-90percent of children and the majority of adults in industrialisedcountries."
Additional testing by the Athlone Institute found thatenzyme-modified coconut oil was also harmful to the yeast Candida albicans thatcan cause thrush.
Researchers suggest that enzyme-modified coconut oil haspotential as a marketable antimicrobial which could be of particular interestto the oral health care industry, according to an Athlone statement.
"Incorporating enzyme-modified coconut oil into dentalhygiene products would be an attractive alternative to chemical additives,particularly as it works at relatively low concentrations. Also, withincreasing antibiotic resistance, it is important that we turn our attention tonew ways to combat microbial infection," added Brady.
These findings were presented at the Society for General Microbiology'sAutumn Conference at the University of Warwick, UK.