Merck + Co., Inc.

Thomas H Stoudt

Dennis J Carlo

Karl H Nollstadt

Arpi Hagopian

Jesse J Jackson

Robert Z Maigetter

Robert W Dobna

B Allen Mayles

Certain glucans modify the biosynthetic route of extracellular polysaccharides involved in dental plaque development causing critical loss of adhesiveness. They interfere with the biosynthesis of cell-bound polysaccharides reducing and preventing agglutination of cells. They thus aid in the prevention of dental plaque formation or concomitant dental caries and periodontal disease.

Modified glucans as anti-caries agent and method of use

Group B Streptococcus type-specific polysaccharides types I.sub.1, I.sub.b, II and III have been obtained from strains grown in a modified soy bean and yeast medium. These polysaccharides are useful as active or passive streptococcal vaccines.

Group B streptococcal capsular polysaccharides

An improved radial flow cell, comprising two or more sets of inlet port-groove-dam devices for improving the efficiency of radial flows and an efficient filtration device consisting of a micropore membrane and a steel screen support of low retention volume, is useful for aseptic and continuous in-line filtration of heterogeneous mixtures containing high concentrations of solids especially those resulting from fermentation processes.

Radial flow cell

Process of producing modified glucans as anti-caries agent

Enzymes called cariogenanases, elaborated by microorganisms are isolated and characterized as polysaccharases capable of degrading cariogenan, a newly discovered glucan of dental plaque composed of .alpha.-(1.fwdarw.3) and .alpha.-(1.fwdarw.2) linkages. The enzymes are isolable from culture broths of various organisms by protein precipitation methods, and have utility as an anti-dental plaque agent, either as the sole enzymatic agent or in combination with dextranases and/or plaque dispersing proteases.

Oral hygiene enzymes and method for preparation

A vaccine against dental caries is prepared from capsular polysaccharides (one or more strains), of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Vaccine for dental caries

A vaccine against Group C meningococcal meningitis consisting of a polysaccharide of which at least 80% by weight has a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000 daltons is prepared. The polysaccharide was isolated from Group C hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide cell paste with 1.0M CaCl.sub.2 extraction and purified by phenol extraction, ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g. and ethanol fractionation (30%-45% v/v in ethanol).

Growing community of inventors

Westfield, NJ, United States of America

Thomas H Stoudt