Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2025
Access Type
Restricted Access
Abstract
MFP is a self-sufficient anticaries agent, whereas NaF effectiveness differs based on presence of toothpaste binding agents. The bacterial strain used is S. mutans. Cells will be suspended in an artificial saliva phosphate buffer (separated into triplicate beakers: control, NaF, MFP). A 2-hour pH drop, will establish treatment inhibiting acid production more effectively in a hypothetical mouth environment.
1) Is MFP more effective at inhibiting lactic acid production?
2) What is the difference in the two mechanisms (MFP: enters cell, NaF: does not)?
3) What are the levels of cellular penetration of active agents in bacterial cell (using) F-19 NMR?
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Dr. Conrad Naleway, Instructor, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Dr. Jeremy Ritzert, Lecturer, Biology
Supported By
Colgate Palmolive Company
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
The Presence of Sodium Monofluorophosphate and Fluoride in Streptococcus mutans cells
MFP is a self-sufficient anticaries agent, whereas NaF effectiveness differs based on presence of toothpaste binding agents. The bacterial strain used is S. mutans. Cells will be suspended in an artificial saliva phosphate buffer (separated into triplicate beakers: control, NaF, MFP). A 2-hour pH drop, will establish treatment inhibiting acid production more effectively in a hypothetical mouth environment.
1) Is MFP more effective at inhibiting lactic acid production?
2) What is the difference in the two mechanisms (MFP: enters cell, NaF: does not)?
3) What are the levels of cellular penetration of active agents in bacterial cell (using) F-19 NMR?
Comments
The value of this project lies within its interdisciplinary application. The foundation of the lab itself is situated within both microbiology in addition to analytical chemistry. The larger application is characterized by public health topics and reasoning. There is a combination of both objective and subjective considerations within, which increase the potential for critical thinking in all the included fields. The relationship between the two schools is crucial to functionalize aspects of the research as strong, objective processes are only useful when they can be interpreted under the context of subjective notions. Moving forward, research in the sciences should aim to be interdisciplinary as a necessity, as these relationships allow concepts to be applied and aid in human development.
This research would hopefully lend more information to encourage Colgate to again be involved with the research and aid in the funding. Moreover, these results would ideally change the perspective on international regulations and suggest the need for proactive mechanisms that ensure efficiency in toothpaste even in countries without a standardized process of regulation.
This area of research is also important as it is relatively underdeveloped in the area of biochemistry. More research is encouraged in an effort to expand upon the implications of the differences between these mechanisms and their results upon bacterial behavior.
Would like to add additional files later.
Note: Selected as involved with LUROP because applications have not been returned yet. In the event of not being awarded Mulcahy opportunity, selected field would be different.