A Preliminary Study of A Lactic Acid Biosensor for the Early Detection of Dental Caries

Statement of Problem: Many mechanisms in the formation of dental caries, but the common point of these mechanisms is the proliferation of microorganisms in the mouth and mostly on the tooth surface. Objective: Although there are approximately 200 to 300 different microorganisms in human dental plaque, Neisseria spp. and S. mutans. The common point of these microorganisms is that they produce lactic acid. In this study, it is aimed to use a biosensor, which is a bioelectrochemical measurement system that combines the measurementcapability of physical analysis systems and the specificity of biochemical systems.Material-Method: In this study, lactate oxidase enzyme was immobilised on the gold working electrode surface by means of bovine serum albumin and gelatine. The enzyme was arrested on the electrode surface with the aid of the cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde. Cyclic voltammetry current scanning was performed in lactic acid biosensor preliminary studies. Optimisation studies were conducted in the current range obtained fromthe peak in the cyclic voltammogram. Within the scope of the optimisation studies, optimum operating temperature and optimum operating pH of the biosensor were tested.Results: An anodic peak at +0.2 V potential was obtained in the cyclic voltammogram drawn according to the reaction on the working electrode surface. In the optimisation studies conducted, it was found that the optimum operating conditions of the biosensor were at 35 °C and pH 6.5.Conclusion: According to the data obtained from the pre-study of the bioelectrochemical method, the concentration of lactic acid in the solution can be determined. With the completion of further studies, a portable lactic acid biosensor can be made. As a result, as a result of the preliminary study, the lactic acidbiosensors designed to determine in vitro lactic acid for the early diagnosis of dental caries in the future is promising.