In vitro hydrolysis of monofluorophosphate by dental plaque microorganisms.

Enzymic hydrolysis of sodium monofluorophosphate by suspensions of dental microorganisms has been demonstrated at pH 5.1, pH 7.0, and pH 8.4, using a fluoride-selective electrode. The extracellular medium from viable Streptococcus mutans K1R cells contained low MFPase and paranitrophenyl phosphatase activity. It is hypothesized that the enzymes responsible for MFP hydrolysis by S. mutans K1R are intracellular, and that cell disruption is necessary for hydrolysis to be manifested; this question requires further study. In vitro MFPase activity was of a magnitude consistent with the hypothesis that it may significantly raise the fluoride ion concentration of plaque within the several minutes MFP would be in the mouth during toothbrushing.