Yahaya Sumara Sulley1,3*, Ramadan Zakaria Danaa2,3, Emmanuel Adooye2,3, Umar Farouk Abdul-Aziz2,3, Isaac Oboakoh1,3, Lydia Quansah1,2,3
1 Department of Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Ghana
2 Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Ghana
3 Dr Quansah Lab, (QLab) University for Development Studies, Ghana
Date: 20 August 2024
Background
Diet significantly affects the oral microbiome, a complex community of microorganisms residing in the mouth that plays a crucial role in oral and overall health. Understanding how dietary choices influence the oral microbiome is essential for developing personalized interventions to enhance oral health and well-being (1).
High-sugar diets foster the growth of acidogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, which are closely associated with dental caries and cavities. On the other hand, diets rich in fibre promote the growth of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which help reduce inflammation and outcompete harmful species. Ketogenic or high-fat diets can also impact the oral microbiome, potentially increasing the prevalence of bacteria linked to conditions such as halitosis and periodontal disease (2).
Smoking and alcohol consumption also have notable effects on oral microbiome composition. Smoking introduces harmful substances, such as nicotine and tar, which can disrupt the balance of oral microbial communities. It is associated with a decrease in microbial diversity and an increase in pathogenic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, which contributes to periodontal disease and oral cancer (3).
Similarly, alcohol consumption affects the oral microbiome by altering the microbial balance and increasing the abundance of bacteria linked to oral disease. Chronic alcohol intake can lead to an overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens and a decrease in beneficial microbes (3). These alterations can serve as forensic indicators of smoking and drinking habits, providing additional context for forensic investigations by revealing lifestyle factors that may be relevant to the case.
While the oral microbiome’s role in health is well-recognized, its forensic potential is less explored. Understanding how various diets affect the oral microbiome can provide valuable insights for forensic applications. The oral microbiome can serve as a biological indicator of dietary habits, which can be leveraged in forensic investigations. Analyzing microbial profiles can help link suspects to crime scenes and provide clues about recent dietary intake, aiding in the establishment of timelines and identification of individuals. This approach enhances forensic analysis by offering a new layer of evidence that complements traditional methods.
Case box 1
A 2022 study investigated the impact of dietary patterns on salivary microbiomes. The researchers analyzed saliva samples from individuals with different dietary habits, such as high-protein diets, high-fiber diets, and high-sugar diets. They found that dietary patterns significantly affect the composition and diversity of the salivary microbiome. For instance, a high-sugar diet was associated with an increase in certain bacterial genera linked to dental caries, while a high-fibre diet was associated with a more diverse and stable microbiome.
This study suggests that dietary habits can leave distinct microbial signatures in saliva, which can be utilized in forensic investigations. By identifying these dietary-related microbial patterns, forensic experts can infer an individual’s dietary habits, which may provide additional context in criminal investigations or in identifying persons of interest.
Source: De Vrieze, B., & Kivisild, T. (2022). The Influence of Dietary Patterns on Salivary Microbiome Composition: Implications for Forensic Investigations. Nutrients, 14(8), 1631. doi:10.3390/nu14081631
Case box 2
Another study explored how lifestyle habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, influence salivary microbiomes. Their study identified specific bacterial profiles associated with these habits, revealing that smoking and alcohol consumption significantly alter the microbial composition of saliva. This information is crucial for forensic science as it can be used to infer lifestyle factors from salivary microbiome profiles. The study highlights how habit-specific microbial signatures can provide additional context in forensic investigations.
Source: Zhu, L., & Li, M. (2021). Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on Salivary Microbiome Composition: Implications for Forensic Science. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 691242. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.691242
Conclusion and Future Directions
The influence of what we consume alters the oral microbiome which holds significant potential for forensic science. The unique microbial profiles shaped by dietary choices underscore the need for further research into the forensic applications of oral microbiomes. By leveraging the oral microbiome as a biological marker, forensic investigations can gain new tools for personal identification and crime scene analysis.
Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms through which different diets affect the oral microbiome and exploring their applications in forensic casework. Developing advanced analytical techniques to detect and interpret diet-induced changes in the oral microbiome is crucial. Furthermore, collaboration between microbiology, nutrition science, and forensic science will be essential to advancing these applications and improving the accuracy and effectiveness of forensic investigations.
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Quansah Lab members especially Alhassan Samira and Bismark Adumbire for their invaluable support throughout this project.
Authors’ Contributions
Yahaya Sumara Sulley led the writing. Ramadan Zakaria Danaa contributed significantly to the drafting and revision stages of the manuscript. Emmanuel Adooye and Umar Farouk Abdul-Aziz, worked on multiple drafts and provided valuable input for the final version. Lydia Quansah and Isaac Oboakoh, supervised the entire manuscript preparation, ensuring adherence to academic standards and guiding the publication process.
References
1. Deo PN, Deshmukh R. Oral microbiome: unveiling the fundamentals. J Oral Maxillofacial Pathol. 2019 Jan 1;23(1):122–8.
2. Devkota S, Chang EB. Interactions between diet, bile acid metabolism, gut microbiota, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Dig Dis. 2015 Jun 9;33(3):351–6.
3. Yadav S, Kumari P, Sinha A, Tripathi V, Saran V. Salivary microbiomes: a potent evidence in forensic investigations. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology. Springer; 2024.
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