# Plaque-Fighting Seaweed The Bacillus licheniformis Enzyme is Orally Hygienic By Jordy E | Published 2012-08-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plaquefighting-seaweed-the-bacillus-licheniformis-enzyme-is-orally-hygienic References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/seaweed-bacteria-enzyme-fights-plaque/23526/) & [ncl.ac.uk](http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/item/tooth-protection-from-the-sea) Newcastle University's Professor Grant Burgess discovered the hygienic effects of the Bacillus licheniformis enzyme while teaching a group from the School of Marine Science and Technology. The team was testing the best possible method to clean a ships surface with, and oddly enough, they came upon this seaweed-based extract. Bacillus licheniformis works by breaking down bacteria in the mouth, specifically through its weakening properties. Layers of biofilm decline steadily when in contact with the matter, thus eliminating a spot for bacteria to settle. Its capacity to break down plaque is also present, and there are currently more tests underway that will study this very phenomenon. According to this July's Society for Applied Microbiology Summer conference, the infusion of this water-bound substance into toothpastes and mouthwashes will soon take shape. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Hygienic Seaweed-based Extract:** The hygienic effects of the Bacillus licheniformis enzyme present opportunities to develop oral care products with seaweed-based extracts. - **Biofilm Reduction:** The bacteria-weakening properties of Bacillus licheniformis create opportunities to develop products for reducing biofilms in various industries. - **Plaque Disruption:** Further studies on Bacillus licheniformis' ability to break down plaque offer potential innovations in oral health care products. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Oral Care:** The use of Bacillus licheniformis in toothpastes and mouthwashes can disrupt the oral care industry by offering hygienic benefits from seaweed-based extracts. - **Maritime:** The discovery of a seaweed-based extract for cleaning ship surfaces opens opportunities for disruptive innovation in the maritime industry. - **Medical:** Applying the bacteria-weakening properties of Bacillus licheniformis to reduce biofilms can lead to disruptive innovations in the medical industry, such as wound care and implant treatments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Microbiome-Balancing Toothpastes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/periotrap.md) - [Powder-Based Dental Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-more-plaque.md) - [Mussel Protein Toothpastes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gumrestore-pro-toothpaste.md) - [Chewable Oral Antibiotics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/probiora-oral-care.md) - [Kelp-Powered Dental Chews](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daily-dental-support.md) - [Seaweed-Based Dental Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dental-powder.md) - [Prebiotic Toothpaste Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prebiotic-toothpaste.md) - [Oral Care Probiotic Lozenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/probiotic-lozenges.md) - [Balancing Probiotic Toothpastes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/periobiotic-silver.md)