A non-irritant, antibacterial solution to prevent oral inflammation may lie in a chemical compound derived from citrus and coconut.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by a periodontal pathogenic bacteria infection that affects oral and internal health.

Good oral care is essential for prevention, but most over-the-counter oral hygiene products are disinfectants that can be highly irritating. This makes them unsuitable for use by young children and the elderly, who are susceptible to periodontal disease.

Shigeki Kamitani of Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology led a research team to verify the antibacterial effect of seven different compounds.

Prunin laurate (Pru-C12) and its analogues were tested against the periodontal pathogenic bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The results showed that while several compounds inhibited bacterial growth, Pru-C12, which can be derived from biomass such as citrus plants and coconut-derived components, had the highest antimicrobial effect.

Shigeki said, “Pru-C12 is tasteless and hypoallergenic. If its safety in humans is confirmed in the future, it could be an inexpensive antimicrobial solution.”

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