Objective: To study the effect of Para-aminobenzonic acid on cell-surface hydrophobicity of Streptococcus mutans.
Methods: Microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) was used to measure the cell-surface hydrophobicity of Streptococcus mutans which grew in modified Carlsson medium with different dilutions of PABA.
Results: The cell-surface hydrophobicity of Streptococcus mutans increased when Carlsson medium contained low dilution of PABA. But following the increase of PABA, the cell-surface hydrophobicity decreased.
Conclusion: Para-aminobenzonic acid could inhibit the adherence of Streptococcus mutans through changing its cell-surface hydrophobicity.