Evaluation of antibacterial efficiency of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles on cariogenic streptococci: an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
The most prevalent and worldwide oral disease is dental caries that affects a significant proportion of the world population. There are some classical approaches for control, prevention and treatment of this pathologic condition; however, the results are still not completely successful. Therefore new methods are needed for better management of this important challenge. Chitosan is a natural and non-toxic polysaccharide with many biological applications, particularly as an antimicrobial agent. Chitosan nanoparticle is a bioactive and environment friendly material with unique physicochemical properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan on the most important cariogenic streptococci.


METHODS
For evaluation of antimicrobial effect of chitosan and nano-chitosan against oral streptococci broth micro-dilution method was carried out for four bacterial species; Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus salivarius. Also the effect of these materials on adhesion of above bacteria was evaluated. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The MICs of chitosan for S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius and S. sobrinus were 1.25, 1.25, 0.625 and 0.625 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC of chitosan nanoparticle for S. mutans, S. salivarius and S. sobrinus was 0.625 mg/mL and for S. sanguis was 0.312 mg/mL. Chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 5 mg/mL also reduced biofilm formation of S. mutans up to 92.5% and 93.4%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study supported the use of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents against cariogenic Streptococci.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Iran.
Azam
A
Aliasghari
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Rabbani Khorasgani
Department of Medical Engineering, Payame Noor University, Iran.
Sedigheh
S
Vaezifar
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Iran.
Fateh
F
Rahimi
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Habibollah
H
Younesi
Dental Materials Research Center & Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Isfahan, Iran.
Maryam
M
Khoroushi
Chitosan; Chitosan nanoparticles; Dental caries; Oral streptococci