Effects of Nitrite on the Acidogenic and Antimicrobial Activities of Streptococcus mutans: A Systematic Review
Bella Claudia Togatorop1, Dimas Prasetianto Wicaksono2*, Tania Saskianti2
Abstract
Nitrite has attracted interest for its potential to modulate the acidogenic and antimicrobial activities of Streptococcus mutans, a major cariogenic bacterium associated with dental caries. However, evidence regarding these effects remains scattered across experimental studies conducted under varying nitrite concentrations and experimental conditions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrite exposure on the acidogenic and antimicrobial activities of S. mutans in in vitro studies. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect up to August 15, 2026. Five eligible in vitro studies were included and narratively synthesized. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for In Vitro Studies (QUIN), with all five studies demonstrating a moderate risk of bias. Collectively, the findings suggested that nitrite may suppress the acidification process and exert antimicrobial effects against S. mutans, including inhibition of bacterial growth and reduced viability, particularly under acidic conditions. The included studies also provided evidence of the potential role of nitrite in the ecological interactions between oral microorganisms and cariogenic bacteria. Overall, nitrite may have potential anti-acidogenic and antimicrobial effects against S. mutans under certain experimental conditions. However, differences in nitrite concentrations, bacterial strains, experimental conditions, and outcome measurements limit direct comparisons across studies. Further standardized research is needed to clarify these effects and determine their relevance to the complex oral environment.
Keywords
nitrites; streptococcus mutans; acidogenicity; antimicrobial activity; environmental pH
Cite This Article
Togatorop, B. C., Wicaksono, D. P., Saskianti, T. (2026). Effects of Nitrite on the Acidogenic and Antimicrobial Activities of Streptococcus mutans: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 7| Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026, Pages 878-885. URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Volume7-Issue5-Sep-Oct-No.1109-878-885.pdf
Volume 7 | Issue 5: Sep – Oct 2026
