Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on biofilm adherence and glycolytic pH in Streptococcus gordonii

Streptococcus gordonii, an early colonizing bacterium, can pave the way for subsequent oral health complications. Some studies suggest that S. gordonii may possess a mild cariogenic effect, as it facilitates the attachment of Streptococcus mutans to tooth surfaces. Biofilm adherence is the first stage in the biofilm formation process, while glycolytic pH is a crucial aspect of bacterial physiology. Numerous herbal antimicrobial agents have been investigated as alternatives to inhibit both biofilm adherence and glycolytic pH regulation in bacteria. One such agent is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Previous literature has demonstrated the effectiveness of EGCG in inhibiting biofilm adherence and glycolytic pH reduction in S. mutans. This study aimed to investigate whether EGCG affects biofilm adherence and glycolytic pH in S. gordonii when cultured in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHIB) media. In vitro experiments were conducted using four groups of samples subjected to five treatments. The normal control group included BHIB + S. gordonii, the negative control group comprised BHIB + S. gordonii + 5% sucrose, and the treatment group comprised BHIB + S. gordonii + 5% sucrose with varying EGCG concentrations (0.03, 0.06, and 0.12 mg/mL). EGCG reduced the adherence of S. gordonii and increased glycolytic pH at an effective inhibitory concentration of 0.03 mg/mL. EGCG influences both biofilm adherence and glycolytic pH in S. gordonii.