Sargassum Toothpaste Fights Cavity Bacteria

San Juan, Puerto Rico — Students at the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine in Puerto Rico are developing a toothpaste formulation using extracts from sargassum seaweed, which are reported to show promising effects against oral bacteria associated with cavities, according to a statement released this Monday.

The development, as explained by Omar Vélez López, leader of the university's Microbiology research team, involves incorporating bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cavity properties.

"Initial assays suggest the extracts possess promising effects against oral bacteria associated with cavities," stated Vélez López. "This opens the possibility of generating a patent that will drive technology transfer and the development of new products."

Sargassum: An Environmental Problem

Vélez indicated that sargassum, a macroalgae that accumulates in large quantities on the shores of Puerto Rico, has become a serious environmental and economic challenge. Its decomposition produces gases that affect air quality, water quality, and fishing activity, in addition to reducing the touristic appeal of the coastline, according to the explanation.

With this research, the team seeks to change the perspective on the algae, converting what is currently considered a problem into an opportunity for innovation.

Collection is carried out on beaches in Guánica, where biomolecules are processed for integration into formulations safe for human consumption.

"In the long term, this model proposes a sustainable use of sargassum that connects biomedical research with public health, economic development, and environmental protection," affirmed Vélez López.

The Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine opened in August 2024 and is the first accredited private dental school in Puerto Rico and the first to begin operations on the island in over 50 years.