Research Journal of Microbiology1816-4935xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/jm.2008.466.473RahimZ.H.A. FathilahA.R. IrwanS. Nordini HasnorW.I. Wan 6200836The objective of this study was to validate NAM model, an artificial mouth system for use in the study of oral biofilms. The NAM model consists of a cylindrical glass chamber (1x6 cm) which was used to mimic the oral cavity and glass beads (3 mm), placed along its length to provide surfaces for biofilm formation. The opening at both ends of the chamber which were fitted with rubber tubing served as an inlet to and outlet from the system. The two tubing were then connected to a reservoir (bacterial reservoir) via a peristaltic pump. The apparatus was kept at 37°C in a water bath. In the formation of oral biofilm, saliva was first pumped into the system to coat the glass beads. Excess saliva was then rinsed with distilled deionised water. Bacterial inoculum (Strep. mutans) was then allowed to flow into the system for 24 h. The bacterial population (cfu mL-1) in the biofilm developed on each of the glass beads in different experiments were analyzed and, validated for reproducibility. Its efficiency in maintaining temperature and flow rate for the experiment and sterility prior to the experiment was also determined. The results obtained showed that the bacterial counts of the biofilms between glass beads are not significantly different (p>0.6) and demonstrated reproducibility (4-5% standard deviation) between different experiments. It was also observed that the flow rate and temperature are constant and sterility of the apparatus is maintained throughout the experiment. This shows that the NAM model is valid for use in the in vitro study of oral biofilm development.]]>Benson, H.J.,20028th Edn.,Pages: 478Pages: 478Black, C., I. Allan, S.K. Ford, M. Wilson and R. McNab,2004Streptococcus sanguis.]]>49295304Busscher, H.J., G.I. Doornbusch and H.C. van der Mei,199271491500Ceri, H., M.E. Olson, C. Stremick, R.R. Read, D. Morck and A. Buret,19993717711776Decker, E.M., R. Weige, I. Wiech, P.E. Heide and M. Brecx,2003Streptococcus sanguinis.]]>111144148De Jong, M.H. and J.S. van der Hoeven,198766498505Edgar, M., C. awes and D. O`Mullane,20043rd Edn.,Razak, F.A. and Z.H. Rahim,2003Piper betle and Psidium guajava extracts on the adhesion of early settlers in dental plaque to saliva-coated glass surfaces.]]>45201206Filoche, S.K., S.A. Anderson and C.H. Sissons,2004Lactobacillus sp. is promoted by Actinomyces sp. and Streptococcus mutans.]]>19322326Filoche, S.K., K. Soma and C.H. Sissons,200520221225Foster, J.S. and P.E. Kolenbrander,20047043404348Hope, C.K. and M.C. Wilson,200354403410Kinniment, S.L., J.W.T. Wimpenny, D. Adams and P.D. Marsh,1996142631638Lamfon, H., Z. Al-Karaawi, M. McCullough, S.R. Porter and J. Pratten,2005in vitro denture plaque biofilms and susceptibility to antifungals.]]>242345351Palmer, R.J. Jr., K. Kazmerzak, M.C. Hansen and P.E. Kolenbrander,2001in vitro using saliva as the sole nutrient source.]]>6957945804Park, K.M., J.S. You, H.Y. Lee, N.I. Baek and J.K. Hwang,2003Morus alba against oral pathogens.]]>84181185Pigman, W., H.C. Elliott Jr. and R.O. Laffre,195231627633Pigman, W. and E. Newbrun,19624113041311Pratten, J., A.W. Smith and M. Wilson,199842453459Pratten, J. and M. Wilson,19994315951599Pratten, J., C.S. Andrews, D.Q.M. Craig and M. Wilson,2000189215218Russell, C. and W.A. Coulter,197529141144Shu, M., L. Wong, J.H. Miller and C.H. Sissons,2000452740Sissons, C.H., T.W. Cutress, M.P. Hoffman and J.S.J. Wakefield,19917014091416Sissons, C.H., T.W. Cutress, G. Faulds and L. Wong,199237913922Steinberg, D., M. Feldman, I. Ofek and E.I. Weiss,2005Streptococcus sobrinus desorption from artificial biofilm.]]>25247251Sudo, S.Z.,197733450458Takarada, K., R. Kimizuka, N. Takahashi, K. Honma, K. Okuda and T. Kato,2004196164Tang, G., H.K. Yip, T.W. Cutress and L.P. Samaranayake,200331161171Weiger, R., E.M. Decker, G. Krastl and M. Brecx,1999Streptococcus sanguinis cells on glass surfaces in a flow-chamber system.]]>44621628Wong, L. and C.H. Sissons,200146477486