Mutanase
OwnerBernhard Guggenheim, Hans-Rudolf Muhlemanninventors
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Abstract
This invention relates to a class of .alpha.1,3 glucan 3-glucanohydrolase named mutanase. The .alpha.1,3 glucosidic bonded polysaccharides hydrolyzed by these enzymes, herein termed mutan, forms part of the matrix material of dental plaque. Mutanase may be produced by culturing microorganisms such as, Trichoderma, Penicillium, or Streptococcus on a glucan characterized by at least 50% alpha -1, 3 glucosidic bonds. Mutanase containing compositions are adapted for disintegrating in vivo essential structural components of dental plaque.
Claims8
A fermentation process for producing an enzyme capable of selectively attacking a streptococci derived alpha-1,3 glucosidic bonded glucan which comprises oxidizing and reducing a streptococci derived dental plaque glucan characterized by at least 50% alpha-1,3 glucosidic bonds to destroy the alpha-1,6 bonds therein, leaving a glucan which contains almost exclusively alpha-1,3 glucosidic bonds, aerobically cultivating a microorganism thereon, and thereafter recovering the enzyme produced extracellularly by the microorganism from the fermentation broth.
An enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the streptococci derived dental plaque glucan having a majority of .alpha.1.fwdarw.3 glucosidic bonds.
A dental treating composition comprising a dental treating carrier and an effective amount of an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the streptococci derived dental plaque glucan having a majority of .alpha.1.fwdarw.3 glucosidic bonds.
A method of treating teeth comprising subjecting teeth to a dental treating composition comprising a dental treating carrier and an effective amount of an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the streptococci derived dental plaque glucan having a majority of .alpha.1.fwdarw.3 glucosidic bonds.
A fermentation process for producing an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing a streptococci derived dental plaque glucan having a majority of .alpha.-(1.fwdarw.3) glucosidic bonds which comprises cultivating a microorganism on a streptococci derived glucan having a majority of .alpha.-(1.fwdarw.3) glucosidic bonds, said glucan being the predominant carbon source for the microorganism being cultivated thereon, then recovering the enzyme produced extracellularly by the microorganism from the fermentation broth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.