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Ten infant formulas containing maltodextrin were analysed for fermentable carbohydrates using enzymatic analysis test-combinations and a spectrophotometer. Besides lactose, sucrose and fructose an assessment was made of sugars typically contained in maltodextrin and corn syrup, namely maltose, maltotriose and glucose. Total carbohydrate was up to 10.3 g in 100 ml standard sample. Cariogenic sugars were found in concentrations between 4.0 and 7.3 g/100 ml. Declaration of the different types of carbohydrates, especially of maltodextrin/corn syrup proved to be insufficient in some products and consequently the consumer is not able to understand their cariogenic potential.

Five maltodextrins and five corn syrups each, seven instant teas containing maltodextrin and one tea produced on a protein-base were analysed for fermentable carbohydrates using enzymatic analyses test combinations and a spectrophotometer. Analysis of the maltodextrins and glucose syrups demonstrated the heterogenicity of this group of substances and also some incompleteness in the declaration of maltose, maltotriose and glucose, sugars typically contained in these products. In standard samples of the instant teas cariogenic sugars were found in concentrations up to 0.7%. As these sugars were not declared in any of the products, the consumer is not able to assess the cariogenic potential of the ingredient maltodextrin. The intake of products containing maltodextrins or corn syrups must lead to an uncontrolled sugar consumption.

Knowledge of the normal eating and drinking habits of the rat is indispensable for comparative experiments concerned with the cariogenicity of different diets. At a time six rats were maintained individually in a registration apparatus (Hofer, Switzerland). Food (basal diet "ssniff") and normal tap water was made available ad libitum. The amounts of food and water, as well as the frequency and duration of food intake, were registered by a pen recorder, which was connected to an electronic balance. The experiment began with three week old rats, and lasted 9 weeks. Conclusions on the procedure of short term caries experiments with rats could be drawn from the results.