Color indicating chewing gum compositions comprising one or more color compounds are provided. The compositions demonstrate a visual color or shade change from start of chewing to the end of chewing and provide oral health benefits. Methods of producing a color changing chewing gum are also provided.

There are provided compounds of Formula I: ##STR00001##
various compositions thereof and methods for their use in the inhibition of α-amylase.

There are provided compounds of Formula I: ##STR00001##
various compositions thereof and methods for their use in the inhibition of α-amylase.

The present disclosure discloses a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum capable of preventing and/or treating periodontitis and an application thereof, belonging to the field of microbiology technology. The present disclosure has screened to obtain a strain of L. fermentum CCFM1139. The L. fermentum CCFM1139 can alleviate periodontitis by inhibiting formation of mixed bacterial biofilms of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum, thereby reducing the amount of biofilm by 52.45%, and can reduce the content of TNF-α from 131.37 pg/mL to 83.31 pg/mL and IL-8 from 147.70 pg/mL to 121.12 pg/mL in a periodontitis cell model, reduce colonization of the P. gingivalis and the F. nucleatum in the oral cavity by 1-2 orders of magnitude, and reduce the amount of the alveolar bone resorption from 1838.0 μm to 805.7 μm.

The present disclosure discloses a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum capable of preventing and/or treating periodontitis and an application thereof, belonging to the field of microbiology technology. The present disclosure has screened to obtain a strain of L. fermentum CCFM1139. The L. fermentum CCFM1139 can alleviate periodontitis by inhibiting formation of mixed bacterial biofilms of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum, thereby reducing the amount of biofilm by 52.45%, and can reduce the content of TNF-α from 131.37 pg/mL to 83.31 pg/mL and IL-8 from 147.70 pg/mL to 121.12 pg/mL in a periodontitis cell model, reduce colonization of the P. gingivalis and the F. nucleatum in the oral cavity by 1-2 orders of magnitude, and reduce the amount of the alveolar bone resorption from 1838.0 μm to 805.7 μm.

Novel products formulated for use as nutritional supplements are designed to enhance oral health and immune function in mammals. An exemplary composition can be customized by adding nutritional or therapeutic ingredients according to a health condition or medical requirement. Oral formulations are described which can be used as dietary supplements on a daily basis to effectively prevent plaque formation in the oral cavity in addition to providing immune protection mediated by enhancing saliva secretions.

Novel products formulated for use as nutritional supplements are designed to enhance oral health and immune function in mammals. An exemplary composition can be customized by adding nutritional or therapeutic ingredients according to a health condition or medical requirement. Oral formulations are described which can be used as dietary supplements on a daily basis to effectively prevent plaque formation in the oral cavity in addition to providing immune protection mediated by enhancing saliva secretions.

Provided are a novel peptide, a polynucleotide encoding the peptide, an expression vector including the polynucleotide, and a pharmaceutical composition including the peptide, a quasi-drug composition including the peptide, and a health functional food composition including the peptide.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.