Interesting new patent assigned to Dr. Levin, SPEX founder and the discoverer of tagatose sweetener:http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...S=PN/7,189,351KEY PARAGRAPHS:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the broadest aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for disrupting biofilm and for inhibiting biofilm formation in an aqueous environment which comprises contacting said environment with an effective amount of D-tagatose.
It is an object of this invention to substitute, wholly or partially, tagatose for the sweeteners generally used in chewing gum, hard candies and other confections in order to counteract and prevent tooth, gum and other oral diseases caused by biofilms. In one aspect of the invention, tagotose replaces the monosaccharides, disaccharides and other sweeteners in chewing gum that promote the formation of biofilms. It is the further object to use tagatose in an effective amount to prevent the formation of biofilm caused by other sugars ingested in the diet. Biofilms formed from such sugars can be destroyed or removed by chewing of tagatose-containing gum. This is because the tagatose brought in contact with the teeth and gums will cause the constituent bacteria forming the biofilm to dissociate. Thus, regular use of tagatose-containing gum can prevent the formation of biofilms in the oral cavity, maintaining good oral health in an easy, pleasant manner. Applicable doses range from 0.1 to 1,000 g/Kg body weight administered as a health food, health drink, drug or cosmetic including toothpaste, mouthwash and lipstick.
Another aspect of the invention is to produce a chewing gum from a standard chewing gum base where the sweetener is D-tagatose. The D-tagatose can be the only sweetener in the chewing gum or can be used in combination with other sweeteners. Preferably the secondary sweeteners are non-nutrient sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharine.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the D-tagatose is used in toothpaste or mouthwash to attack dental plaque and to prevent the formation of such plaque, thereby improving oral health and hygiene. According to this aspect of the invention, the teeth are whitened through the removal of dental plaque, and oral diseases such as tooth caries or gingival and periodontal infections and halitosis are prevented or delayed through the removal of dental plaque. D-Tagatose may be the only humectant used in the toothpaste or it may constitute between about 10% and 90% of the humectant in the toothpaste.
In another application of this invention, D-tagatose is used in foodstuff to attack dental plaque and to prevent the formation of such plaque, thereby improving oral health and hygiene. The D-tagatose may also be administered in powder, crystalline or liquid form with or without other foodstuffs to disrupt dental plaque and to inhibit the formation of such plaque.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, D-tagatose is administered orally to prevent or aid in the prevention of cardiovascular stroke, or to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics administered to a patient in need of treatment for the prevention of cardiovascular stroke, or to a patient being administered antibiotics for other purposes. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, D-tagatose is preferably administered at a dose of between 10 and 500 mg/Kg of body weight. D-tagatose may be administered to a mammal subject in combination with a food, beverage or taken separately in powder, crystalline or liquid form to disrupt biofilm and for inhibiting biofilm formation in the body.
According to another aspect of this invention, the method for disrupting biofilm and for inhibiting biofilm formation in commercial and industrial water systems is to supply the water system with a solution of D-tagatose. Preferably, the solution is at a concentration of D-tagatose of between 100 and 1000 mM. Application may be continuous, intermittent or on demand.
