The Production of Acids from Glucose by Oral Microorganisms: Lactic and Pyruvic Acids

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Abstract
This is a chemical and micromano-metric study of the production of acids from glucose in saliva (stimulated). The saliva was incubated with added glucose in the Warburg apparatus for 15- to 30-min. periods, using a differential manometer for detn. of total acid produced, and chemical methods for subsequent analytical study of the acids present. In most of the expts., lactic acid accounted for less than half of the total acid production. Pyruvic acid was occasionally formed, but in the majority of expts. lactic and pyruvic acid did not account for more than 1/2-2/3 of the total acid. The nature of the remaining acids is not known. In the mixed flora of the saliva, lactic and pyruvic acids are metabolized as well as produced. Hence, the net amt. of acid present at any given time due to bacterial action on glucose represents a balance between rate of formation and rate of destruction. The presence or absence of active caries in the subjects did not influence the quantities measured.
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