# Glycolysis and Automated Plaque Regrowth Method for Evaluation of Antimicrobial Performance

## TL;DR

This study introduces a new lab method to evaluate how well antimicrobial agents reduce plaque, showing results that match clinical findings.

## Contribution

A novel in vitro method combining glycolysis and plaque regrowth is proposed for antimicrobial screening.

## Key findings

- The method detected significant differences in antimicrobial efficacy across treatment groups.
- Results aligned with clinical observations, validating the method's relevance.
- The method is sensitive to different antimicrobial mechanisms of action.

## Abstract

Purpose: This study explored the potential of a new in vitro method in evaluating antiplaque benefits from five sets of antimicrobial systems including cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), stannous fluoride (SnF2), Listerine essential oil mouthwashes (+/− alcohol), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), and sodium fluoride. (NaF). Methods: Gingival dental plaque was collected and propagated using sterilized tryptic soy broth and sucrose, and then allocated into separate glycolysis and regrowth recipes for antiplaque evaluations. Glycolysis measurements (in duplicate) were recorded via pH microelectrode on plaque-treatment samples thermomixed (1200 rpm, 37 °C) for 4 h. For plaque regrowth, optical densities (in duplicate) were automatically collected on plaque-treatment samples using a microplate reader (linear shaking, 37 °C) from baseline to 4 h. Results: Calculations of percent change in pH and optical density were performed and analyzed for each set of antimicrobial treatment groups. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA, Student–Newman–Keuls stepwise comparison tests) revealed dose responses and significant differences (p < 0.05) among treatment groups, including between negative and clinically relevant positive controls. Conclusions: This lab method produces results consistent with published clinical observations. This glycolysis and plaque growth method is sensitive to antimicrobial mechanisms of action, and may offer a convenient and clinically relevant screening tool in the evaluation of putative antimicrobial agents and formulations.