Objective To evaluate total absorbance, planktonic growth, biofilm formation, viability, metabolic activity, and pH of Streptococcus mutans UA159 cultures when different dilutions of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni were applied and to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of Stevia on S. mutans.

Materials and methods The effects of different dilutions of Stevia (0–400 mg/ml) on S. mutans total growth, planktonic growth, biofilm formation, viability, metabolic activity, and pH during a 72-h growth period were evaluated in this in vitro study. A stock solution was prepared by mixing 10 ml of tryptic soy broth (TSB) supplemented with 1% sucrose (TSBS) and 4 g of Stevia.

Results S. mutans total growth and biofilm formation decreased with reduced concentrations of Stevia. Furthermore, the MIC was 25 mg/ml and the MBIC was 6.25 mg/ml. Complete eradication of S. mutans was not observed with any of the Stevia concentrations. Planktonic growth of S. mutans was not repressed by high concentrations of Stevia and most of the Stevia concentrations generated an increased pH.

Conclusion Because Stevia reduces biofilm and acid production, Stevia can be considered a non-cariogenic sweetener.

Clinical relevance This study confirms the anticariogenic effect of Stevia, like it has been previously reported, but more studies on the most effective concentration are needed, and in the present study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) was determined in the presence of sucrose. Additionally, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of Stevia on S. mutans metabolic activity.