A peptide from cow's milk to fight tooth decay

A peptide from cow's milk to fight tooth decay


An anti-microbial agent, the "kappacin" recently discovered by researchers of the Cooperative Research Center for Oral Health Science (CRC OHS) at the dental school at the University of Melbourne, would be an effective weapon against tooth decay . Of toothpastes and mouthwashes containing it are being tested for marketing purposes.


An anti-microbial agent, the "kappacin" recently discovered by researchers of the Cooperative Research Center for Oral Health Science (CRC OHS) at the dental school at the University of Melbourne, would be an effective weapon against tooth decay . Of toothpastes and mouthwashes containing it are being tested for marketing purposes.
More than 700 species of oral bacteria have been identified. In special circumstances, the abnormal proliferation of certain bacteria in dental plaque causes tooth decay. The breakdown of sugars foods placed on the teeth by bacteria produces acids that dissolve the enamel crystals composed mainly of calcium phosphate.
With the financial support of the Dairy Australia, researchers have isolated and characterized a new antimicrobial peptide derived from cow's milk protein, the kappa-casein. This peptide called kappacin is negatively charged, unlike most antimicrobial peptides. It is also devoid of amino acids that promote positive charge destruction of certain antimicrobial peptides by proteolytic enzymes. It seems that the peptide acts by modifying the bacterial cell membrane. The "kappacin" also seems to have more effective action against Streptococcus mutans-the bacterium that is largely responsible for dental caries-against other benign bacterial plaque.
The effect of "kappacin" is reinforced by the presence of divalent metal cations. The "kappacin" does not have the side effects of mouthwashes such as the color of teeth and a strong metallic taste.