DuPont’s anti-pathogenic xylitol supports skin microbial growth

30 Apr 2020 --- DuPont Nutrition and Bioscience’s XIVIA xylitol – a wood-based sweetener – has a positive effect on skin microbial growth. This is according to a new study published in the Korean Journal of Microbiology, which showed that xylitol inhibited the growth of pure cultures of pathogenic S. aureus and C. acnes strains linked to skin conditions. Meanwhile, the growth of skin commensal S. epidermidis strain was not affected. DuPont flags that the data can be used to help promote the use of XIVIA Xylitol outside the traditional space of chewing gum and oral care applications.

“Xylitol is utilized due to its hydrating properties within skincare products and the research is showing interesting abilities for xylitol to protect the skin barrier. The study results demonstrated that xylitol also can not only control oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans, but is also beneficial in controlling skin microbes,” explains Dr. Heli Anglenius, Senior Scientist at DuPont. 

She continues that the results are interesting as xylitol could be useful in situations where dysbiosis is present in the skin microbiota, which must be balanced. While the preliminary in-vitro study provides important indications for efficacy, additional research is needed to study the effects in a whole microbial community, she flags. 

The research team prepared the xylitol as 10 or 50 percent aqueous stock solutions. The growth of bacterial strains in the presence of xylitol was then measured with the automatic Bioscreen C system, which recorded kinetic changes, thus allowing growth rates to be determined. 

Xylitol decreased the growth of S. aureus and two strains of C. acnes at 5 percent (w/v) but not 1 percent (w/v). In contrast, the growth rate of S. epidermidis increased significantly in the presence of 1 percent (w/v) xylitol and 5 percent (w/v) xylitol. However, there were indications that the growth of S. epidermidis is affected by xylitol at higher concentrations.

“We confirmed that xylitol acts as an antimicrobial agent against S. aureus, by reducing its growth. S. aureus is a prominent pathogen on the skin of atopic dermatitis patients and produces various toxins and enzymes that can injure the skin, causing inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, C. acnes and S. epidermidis are predominant skin-associated microbes that are often regarded as commensals with beneficial effects but can also act as opportunistic pathogens,” write the researchers. 

A long history of use
Xylitol is environmentally sustainable, naturally occurring and is widely approved for use in food and oral hygiene products. Last year, DuPont became the first company to receive re-approval for xylitol health claims in South Korea. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) issued a re-approval of the health claim by XIVIA Xylitol, part of the DuPont Danisco range of ingredients. The new approval highlights a reduced risk of dental caries occurrence in Xylitol consumers aged 3 to 80 years old.

“Meanwhile here in Finland, we have a long history in the sustainable production of xylitol as well as research into the health benefits of xylitol, and in particular, its caries-preventing activities. We have developed, for instance, the Enteromix colon and oral simulators in our facilities to investigate these phenomena,” adds Dr. Kirsti Tiihonen, Senior Research & Development Manager at DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences. 

She continues that DuPont’s xylitol manufacturing technology allows the use of a minimum amount of chemicals, water and energy and thus shows a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional processes. 

By Katherine Durrell