Carbohydrate metabolism of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque in gnotobiotic rats.

The fermentation products of Streptococcus mutans C67-1 were investigated in fissure plaque of rats, that were mono-associated with this strain. In addition to lactic acid, acetic acid and ethanol were present. The finding that a mixed acid fermentation occurred and that ethanol was produced suggests that the carbohydrate source rather than the nitrogen source was the growth-limiting substrate for Strep. mutans in plaque.