Molasses-Derived Spray Reduces Odor Compounds in Dogs' Saliva

Researchers developed a mouth spray made from sugarcane molasses to reduce bad breath and harmful bacteria in dogs. The product uses polyphenols previously shown to limit bacterial growth in laboratory tests. Ten healthy pet dogs with noticeable breath odor participated after their owners gave consent.

Scientists sprayed the molasses-derived extract into each dog's mouth and collected saliva samples. Trained evaluators detected little odor from the samples. Chemical analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry found that levels of esters, amines, and aldehydes dropped to nearly undetectable amounts.

Dogs received the spray once a day for 30 days.

Saliva then contained smaller quantities of aroma compounds produced by pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial populations linked to bad breath, including Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium, also declined. The spray's mild plant-like scent did not mask odors, according to the chemical measurements.

Hongye Li, an author of the study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, described the polyphenols as acting like a molecular sponge, a switch, and a gardener. The compounds bind to odor molecules, inhibit bacterial enzymes, and reduce populations of odor-causing bacteria over time.

Researchers plan additional trials with more dogs to examine how the polyphenols interact with odor molecules and to develop a low-cost oral health option for pets.