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Fatty Acid Profile of the Initial Oral Biofilm (Pellicle): an In-Situ Study

  • Original Article
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Lipids

Abstract

The first step of bioadhesion on dental surfaces is the formation of the acquired pellicle. This mainly acellular layer is formed instantaneously on all solid surfaces exposed to oral fluids. It is composed of proteins, glycoproteins and lipids. However, information on the lipid composition is sparse. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fatty acid (FA) profile of the in-situ pellicle for the first time. Furthermore, the impact of rinses with safflower oil on the pellicle’s FA composition was investigated. Pellicles were formed in situ on bovine enamel slabs mounted on individual upper jaw splints. The splints were carried by ten subjects over durations of 3–240 min. After comprehensive sample preparation, gas chromatography coupled with electron impact ionization mass spectrometry (GC–EI/MS) was used in order to characterize qualitatively and quantitatively a wide range of FA (C12–C24). The relative FA profiles of the pellicle samples gained from different subjects were remarkably similar, whereas the amount of FA showed significant interindividual variability. An increase in FA in the pellicle was observed over time. The application of rinses with safflower oil resulted in an accumulation of its specific FA in the pellicle. Pellicle formation is a highly selective process that does not correlate directly with salivary composition, as shown for FA.

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Abbreviations

BAME:

Bacterial acid methyl ester

EDTA:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

EI:

Electron impact

FA:

Fatty acid(s)

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl ester(s)

GC:

Gas chromatography

IS:

Internal standard

LC:

Liquid chromatography

LOQ:

Limit of quantification

MS:

Mass spectrometry

MSD:

Mass selective detector

QC:

Quality control

RT:

Retention time

SIM:

Selected ion monitoring

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a scientific grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG; HA 5192/2-1; KU 1271/6-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sustainability, Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, C13, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Marco Reich & Klaus Kümmerer

  2. Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    Ali Al-Ahmad

  3. Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Christian Hannig

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  1. Marco Reich
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  2. Klaus Kümmerer
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  4. Christian Hannig
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Correspondence to Marco Reich.

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Reich, M., Kümmerer, K., Al-Ahmad, A. et al. Fatty Acid Profile of the Initial Oral Biofilm (Pellicle): an In-Situ Study. Lipids 48, 929–937 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-013-3822-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-013-3822-2

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