Biochemical and Antigenic Studies of Lactobacilli Isolated from Deep Dentinal Caries: I. Biochemical Aspects

Abstract
Lactobacilli were isolated from 24 of 25 teeth with dentinal caries, using a nonselective medium. Biochemical studies indicated that all organisms were homofermenters, which reduced the pH below 4.5, grew at 15C (optimally between 30-37C), and produced predominantly the L(+) form of lactic acid. Eighteen organisms had identical carbohydrate utilization patterns.