BASF, OrganoBalance to commercialize probiotic to improve oral health
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. BASF earlier this month announced plans to commercialize the oral-friendly probiotic pro-t-action in collaboration with OrganoBalance.
“Working closely with OrganoBalance, we have been able to identify the L. paracasei strain that effectively and exclusively binds to the caries bacteria and in doing so improves elimination from the mouth,” stated Markus Pompejus, senior manager BASF Future Business. “The effectiveness of the active ingredients combined with BASF’s ability to offer a product ready for incorporation into everyday oral care products, truly represents new and exciting possibilities in the way of significantly improving oral health.”
Based on probiotic microorganisms, the active ingredient in pro-t-action binds to and eliminates bacteria from the mouth. The Berlin-based OrganoBalance is specialized in microbial strain development and microbiological screening.
Together the companies identified a very particular strain of Lactobacillus paracasei and BASF has since developed a proprietary production process enabling the active ingredient to be easily integrated into everyday consumer products like toothpaste, mouthwash, candies, lozenges and chewing gums used for daily oral care.
Bacteria in the oral cavity, such as Streptococcus mutans, initiate the onset of tooth decay converting the sugar from food into acids. These acids ultimately destroy tooth enamel, reducing essential minerals protecting the teeth and thus lead to lesions or cavities. Shown in testing, the active ingredient, L. paracasei, in pro-t-action has the ability to target the bacteria and bind exclusively to them. The bacteria can then be flushed out of the oral cavity by normal swallowing or rinsing. Needing to remain in the oral cavity for only a minimum of ten seconds to become active, pro-t-action is tasteless, odorless, pH-neutral and helps to maintain the healthy and beneficial microflora in the oral cavity.
Research on L. paracasei for the development of pro-t-action was conducted as a joint effort by OrganoBalance and BASF, in collaboration with the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. The findings of the research, led by Jason Tanzer, University of Connecticut Health Center, and those of Christine Lang, OrganoBalance, was presented before the International Association of Dental Research annual conference held in Miami April 1 to 4.