DEXTRANS

Question: Dextrans are also storage polysaccharides. How

are dextrans related to dental plaques?
Done by:
Nanda
Tang Kwan Hou (22)
Ye Jiadong

Properties
Streptococcus mutans, which contain cell-bound dextransucrase,
have been observed to adhere to plaques and teeth [in the
presence of sucrose], suggesting that this phenomenon may be of
importance in the formation of streptococcal dental plaques.
(Gibbons R.J., Fitzgerald R.J., 1969)
-

S. mutans contains dextransucrase -> catalyses the anabolic

reaction of sucrose to fructose and dextrans, a sticky
polysaccharide
Can be synthesized by lactic acid bacteria (E.g. Leuconostoc
mesenteroides, Streptococcus mutans)
Medicinal uses: Antithrombotic
hypovolaemia
-1,6 branch and
& -1,3
chain

Molecular formula: H(C6H10O5)xOH

Structure

Polar, Highly Soluble

Dental Plaque

S. Mutans adhere to
tooth surface; produce
microcolonies &
synthesise dextran with
dextransucrase

S. mutans converts
fructose to lactic acid
(anaerobically). pH
drops

Dextran forms a
biofilm that
metabolises S. Mutans
to break down sucrose
into glucose/fructose

Dissolution of calcium
phosphate (tooth
enamel)

Glucose polymerised
to extracellular
dextran polymermatrix of plaque

Dental cavities

Other Applications

Microsurgery in Anticoagulation
Intravenous Solutions

References
Gibbons R.J., Fitzgerald R.J. (1969). Dextran-induced agglutination of
Streptococcus mutans, and its potential role in the formation of microbial dental
plaques. In US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.
Retrieved 07 March 2015, from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5784196

Asia

Asia makes up about 60% of

theSucres
world consumption
of World Sugar Consumption. Retrieved 07
Groupe
et Denres (2013)
sugar,
with
thehttp://www.sucden.com/group-overview
most common
March
2015,
from:
type being table sugar.
(Groupe Sucres et Denres, 2013)
Increased risk of Asians
suffering from dental plaque