Evaluation of dextranase production by the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

A recently developed blue dextran agar assay was utilized to detect dextranase production by a large number of strains of Streptococcus mutans. An extract obtained from S. mutans strain B2 hydrolyzed high molecular weight radioactive dextran to oligosaccharides. There are several possible roles for this enzyme activity in the metabolism of S. mutans dextrans.