Use of agarobiose or agarooligosaccharide having anticariogenic activity

Abstract

The present invention relates to a use of an agarobiose or agarooligosaccharides having anticariogenic activity. More specifically, a lower concentration of agarobiose or agarooligosaccharides than the concentration of xylitol suppresses the growth of Streptococcus mutans and suppresses acid production, and thus can be used for anti-cariogenic purposes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating an oral disease, comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of agarobiose and agarooligosaccharides,
 wherein the oral disease is any one selected from the group consisting of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, oral mucous ulcers, halitosis, and xerostomia.   
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the agarooligosaccharides are obtained from an acid hydrolysate of agarose. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the agarooligosaccharides are a mixture of agarobiose, agarotetraose, agarohexaose, and agarooctaose. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 1 , wherein the agarobiose is obtained by separating and purifying an acid hydrolysate of agarose through gel permeation chromatography. 
     
     
         5 . An oral hygiene composition for preventing or alleviating an oral disease, comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of agarobiose and agarooligosaccharides,
 wherein the oral disease is any one selected from the group consisting of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, oral mucous ulcers, halitosis, and xerostomia.   
     
     
         6 . The oral hygiene composition of  claim 5 , wherein the agarooligosaccharides are obtained from an acid hydrolysate of agarose. 
     
     
         7 . The oral hygiene composition of  claim 5 , wherein the agarooligosaccharides are a mixture of agarobiose, agarotetraose, agarohexaose, and agarooctaose. 
     
     
         8 . The oral hygiene composition of  claim 5 , wherein the agarobiose is obtained by separating and purifying an acid hydrolysate of agarose through gel permeation chromatography. 
     
     
         9 . A food composition for preventing or alleviating an oral disease, comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of agarobiose and agarooligosaccharides,
 wherein the oral disease is any one selected from the group consisting of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, oral mucous ulcers, halitosis, and xerostomia.   
     
     
         10 . The food composition of  claim 9 , wherein the agarooligosaccharides are obtained from an acid hydrolysate of agarose. 
     
     
         11 . The food composition of  claim 9 , wherein the agarooligosaccharides are a mixture of agarobiose, agarotetraose, agarohexaose, and agarooctaose. 
     
     
         12 . The food composition of  claim 9 , wherein the agarobiose is obtained by separating and purifying an acid hydrolysate of agarose through gel permeation chromatography.