Oral Health Improving Compositions

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with microorganisms or fragments thereof as sensorically neutral oral care agents, particularly for prevention of dental calculus, as anti-caries agents and/or anti-oral malodor agents. The invention is furthermore concerned with compositions comprising microorganisms or fragments thereof for reducing mutans Streptococci. Such compositions can be used in oral care compositions, e.g. for caries prophylaxis, or for prophylaxis of dental calculus or oral malodor. They may also or instead be used for prevention or treatment of oral malodor. As the microorganisms and fragments thereof according to the present invention have a very low, unobtrusive smell and taste, they are particularly suited as sensorically neutral agents for preventment of dental calculus, caries, oral biofilm formation and/or for prevention or treatment of oral malodor. The microorganisms and fragments thereof, and also compositions comprising such microorganisms and fragments, can thus advantageously be used in food and feed compositions, particularly in pet foods. Furthermore, the invention is concerned with methods of preparing such microorganisms, fragments, compositions, foods and feeds.

1 . A method for providing oral care to a human or animal, comprising administering a composition comprising a binder microorganism or fragment thereof as a sensorically neutral oral care agent to a human or animal in need thereof, wherein the binder microorganism is a lactic acid bacterium, wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is capable of binding to a microorganism of the group of mutans Streptococci, and wherein the 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; and/or   (vi) independent of magnesium.   
     
     
         2 . A method for preparing a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or veterinary composition comprising formulating a binder microorganism or fragment thereof into a composition, wherein the composition is an oral care composition, wherein the binder microorganism is used in a sensorically neutral amount, wherein the binder microorganism is a lactic acid bacterium, wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is capable of binding to a microorganism of the group of mutans Streptococci, and wherein the 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; and/or   (vi) independent of magnesium.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is capable of binding to at least one strain, at least two strains, or at least three strains of mutans Streptococci selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus mutans  serotype c (DSMZ 20523),  Streptococcus mutans  serotype e (NCTC 10923),  Streptococcus mutans  serotype f (NCTC 11060),  Streptococcus sobrinus  DSMZ 20742,  Streptococcus ratti  DSMZ 20564,  Streptococcus cricetus  DSMZ 20562,  Streptococcus ferus  DSMZ 20646 and  Streptococcus macacae  DSMZ 20714. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is not capable of binding to at least one, at least two, at least three, or any microorganism selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus salivarius  ssp.  thermophilus, Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20066,  Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20395,  Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20627,  Streptococcus mitis  DSMZ 12643 and  Streptococcus sanguinis  DSMZ 20567. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the binder microorganism is in a thermally inactivated or lyophilized form,
 and/or wherein the binder microorganism is of the family Lactobacillaceae, of the genus  Lactobacillus, Paralactobacillus, Pediococcus  or  Sharpea , of species  Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei  or  Lactobacillus zeae , or is any of strains DSMZ 16667, DSMZ 16668, DSMZ 16669, DSMZ 16670, DSMZ 16671, DSMZ 16672 or DSMZ 16673, or a mutant or derivative thereof.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is used:
 as a preferably sensorically neutral anti-dental calculus agent, or for the preparation of a composition for prevention or treatment of dental calculus, and/or   as a sensorically neutral anti-caries agent, or for the preparation of a sensorically neutral composition for prevention or treatment of caries, and/or   as a preferably sensorically neutral anti-oral malodor agent, or for the preparation of a composition for prevention or treatment of oral malodor.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the binder microorganism is selected from the group consisting of:
 microorganisms which metabolize D-lactose, but not L-sorbose and/or D-saccharose and/or D-inuline,   (ii) microorganisms which metabolize inuline,   (iii) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, but not D-lactose and/or D-saccharose and/or inuline, and   (iv) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, D-lactose and inuline, and preferably, wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of:   (i) microorganisms which metabolize D-lactose, but not L-sorbose, D-saccharose and inuline,   (ii) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, D-lactose and inuline, but not D-saccharose,   (iii) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, but not D-lactose, D-saccharose and inuline, and   (iv) microorganisms which metabolizes L-sorbose, D-lactose, D-saccharose, but not inuline.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the binding of said binder microorganism or fragment thereof to  Streptococcus  strains can be assayed as follows:
 (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase;   (b) mixing said microorganism with said  Streptococcus  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 said  Streptococcus ; and   (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.   
     
     
         9 . A method of preparing a composition for prevention or treatment of dental calculus and/or for the preparation of a sensorically neutral composition for prevention or treatment of caries and/or for the preparation of a composition for prevention or treatment of oral malodor, comprising adding a binder microorganism or fragment thereof to a base composition, wherein the binder microorganism is added in a sensorically neutral amount, wherein the binder microorganism is a lactic acid bacterium, wherein the binder microorganism is capable of binding to a microorganism of the group of mutans Streptococci, wherein the 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; and/or   (vi) independent of magnesium,   
       and wherein the base composition comprises a cosmetically, pharmaceutically or veterinary compatible carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the binder microorganism is in a thermally inactivated or lyophilized form,
 and/or wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is capable of binding to at least one strain, at least two strains, or at least three strains of mutans Streptococci selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus mutans  serotype c (DSMZ 20523),  Streptococcus mutans  serotype e (NCTC 10923) and  Streptococcus mutans  serotype f (NCTC 11060),  Streptococcus sobrinus  DSMZ 20742,  Streptococcus ratti  DSMZ 20564,  Streptococcus cricetus  DSMZ 20562,  Streptococcus ferus  DSMZ 20646 and  Streptococcus macacae  DSMZ 20714, and preferably is not capable of binding to at least one, at least two, at least three, or any microorganism selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus salivarius  ssp.  thermophilus, Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20066,  Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20395,  Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20627,  Streptococcus mitis  DSMZ 12643 and  Streptococcus sanguinis  DSMZ 20567, and/or wherein the binder microorganism is of family Lactobacillaceae, of the genus  Lactobacillus, Paralactobacillus, Pediococcus  or  Sharpea , or of species  Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei  or  Lactobacillus zeae , or is any of strains DSMZ 16667, DSMZ 16668, DSMZ 16669, DSMZ 16670, DSMZ 16671, DSMZ 16672 or DSMZ 16673, or a mutant or derivative thereof.   
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising an isolated or purified binder microorganism or isolated or purified fragment thereof in an amount:
 sufficient for preventing dental calculus formation or slowing down dental calculus formation, and/or   sufficient for preventing or reducing intensity of oral malodor, and/or   sufficient for preventing caries or slowing down caries generation,   and preferably in a sensorically neutral amount,   wherein the binder microorganism is a lactic acid bacterium, preferably wherein the binder microorganism is of family Lactobacillaceae, of genus  Lactobacillus, Paralactobacillus, Pediococcus  or  Sharpea , of species  Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei  or  Lactobacillus zeae , or is any of strains DSMZ 16667, DSMZ 16668, DSMZ 16669, DSMZ 16670, DSMZ 16671, DSMZ 16672 or DSMZ 16673, or a mutant or derivative thereof,   and wherein the binder microorganism is capable of binding to a microorganism of the group of mutans Streptococci, wherein the 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; and/or   (vi) independent of magnesium,   and wherein preferably the total content of mono- and diglycerides is at most 20 wt.-%, at most 5 wt.-%, or at most 2 wt.-% of the whole composition.   
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the composition is for use with a human or animal, and
 wherein the composition is a toothpaste, dentifrice, tooth powder, topical oral gel, mouth rinse, denture product, mouthspray, lozenge, oral tablet, chewing gum, mouth wash, dental floss, chew product or an additive for food, feed or drinks, or   wherein the composition is in the form of a powder, tablet, film preparation, solution, aerosol, granule, pill, suspension, emulsion, capsule, syrup, liquid, elixir, extract, tincture or fluid extract, sheet-like food, bottled food, canned food, retort food or fluid food, or   wherein the composition is a food or drink selected from the group consisting of gum, spray, beverage, candy, infant formula, ice cream, frozen dessert, sweet salad dressing, milk preparation, cheese, quark, yogurt, acidified milk, coffee cream, whipped cream, butter, cheese, processed milk and skimmed milk, meat product—preferably ham, sausage, and hamburger—, fish meat, cake product, egg product—preferably seasoned egg rolls and egg curd—, confectionery—preferably cookie, jelly, snacks, and chewing gum—, bread, noodles, pickle, smoked product, dried fish, seasoning.   
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof:
 is not a genetically modified microorganism as defined in Article 2(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC other than obtained through the techniques of genetic modification listed in Annex 1B to said Directive 2001/18/EC, and preferably even excluding microorganisms obtained through the techniques of genetic modification listed in Annex 1B to said Directive 2001/18/EC,   does not comprise a product resulting from the expression of genetic material heterologous to the order, preferably to the family, even more preferably to the genus and most preferably to the species of the binder microorganism.   
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is used as a sensorically neutral anti-dental calculus agent, and wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective to delay or slow down formation of dental calculus in said human or animal;   (b) the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is used as a sensorically neutral anti-caries agent, and wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective to delay or slow down formation of caries in said human or animal; and/or   (c) the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is used as a sensorically neutral anti-oral malodor agent, and wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective to reduceoral malodor in said human or animal.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder microorganism is of family Lactobacillaceae, of genus  Lactobacillus, Paralactobacillus, Pediococcus  or  Sharpea , of species  Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei  or  Lactobacillus zeae , or is any of strains DSMZ 16667, DSMZ 16668, DSMZ 16669, DSMZ 16670, DSMZ 16671, DSMZ 16672 or DSMZ 16673. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder microorganism is in a viable, thermally inactivated or lyphilized form. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder microorganism is in a thermally inactivated form obtained by:
 treating in saturated steam at a pressure of 1-5 bar, 1-3 bar, or 2 bar;   treating in saturated steam at a pressure of 2 bar at a temperature of 121° C. for 20 minutes; or   freezing at −20° C. for at least 1 hour.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is capable of binding to at least one strain, at least two strains, or at least three strains of mutans Streptococci selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus mutans  serotype c (DSMZ 20523),  Streptococcus mutans  serotype e (NCTC 10923),  Streptococcus mutans  serotype f (NCTC 11060),  Streptococcus sobrinus  DSMZ 20742,  Streptococcus ratti  DSMZ 20564,  Streptococcus cricetus  DSMZ 20562,  Streptococcus  ferus DSMZ 20646 and  Streptococcus macacae  DSMZ 20714. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder microorganism or fragment thereof is not capable of binding to at least one, at least two, at least three, or any microorganism selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus salivarius  ssp.  thermophilus, Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20066,  Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20395,  Streptococcus oralis  DSMZ 20627,  Streptococcus mitis  DSMZ 12643 and  Streptococcus sanguinis  DSMZ 20567. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the binder microorganism is selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) microorganisms which metabolize D-lactose, but not L-sorbose and/or D-saccharose and/or D-inuline,   (ii) microorganisms which metabolize inuline,   (iii) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, but not D-lactose and/or D-saccharose and/or inuline, and   (iv) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, D-lactose and inuline, and preferably, wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of:   (i) microorganisms which metabolize D-lactose, but not L-sorbose, D-saccharose and inuline,   (ii) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, D-lactose and inuline, but not D-saccharose,   (iii) microorganisms which metabolize L-sorbose, but not D-lactose, D-saccharose and inuline, and   (iv) microorganisms which metabolizes L-sorbose, D-lactose, D-saccharose, but not inuline.