Scientists have identified an unlikely natural antibiotic that attacks the bacteria that cause dental cavities: Coconut oil.
In new research presented at a meeting of the Society for General Microbiology at the University of Warwick, scientists from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland found coconut oil – in its natural state and when enhanced with enzymes that boost its antibacterial properties – effectively blocked the growth of acid-producing Streptococcus bacterial strains that cause tooth decay.
The researchers suggested the findings could lead to the development of new antimicrobial dental-care products.
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"Dental caries is a commonly overlooked health problem affecting 60-90 percent of children and the majority of adults in industrialized countries,” noted lead researcher Dr. Damien Brady.
“Incorporating enzyme-modified coconut oil into dental hygiene products would be an attractive alternative to chemical additives, particularly as it works at relatively low concentrations. Also, with increasing antibiotic resistance, it is important that we turn our attention to new ways to combat microbial infection."
Brady added that the new research provides insight into how naturally occurring antibacterial substances can be used to enhance public health.
"We are currently researching coconut oil and other enzyme-modified foodstuffs to identify how they interfere with the way bacteria cause illness and disease," he said.
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