title: Antimicrobial effect of chitosan nanoparticles on streptococcus mutans biofilms.
abstract: Nanoparticle complexes were prepared from chitosans of various molecular weights (MW) and degrees of deacetylation (DD). The antimicrobial effect was assessed by the Live/Dead BacLight technique in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and image analysis. Nanocomplexes prepared from chitosans with high MW showed a low antimicrobial effect (20 to 25% of cells damaged), whereas those prepared from low-MW chitosans showed high antimicrobial effect (>95% of cells damaged).
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, SE-20506 Malmö, Sweden. luis.chavez.de.paz@mah.se
authors.forename: Luis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Chávez de Paz
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Resin
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Duncan S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wejse
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008970:Molecular Weight; D053758:Nanoparticles; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D048271:Chitosan