Nanochitosan antimicrobial activity against streptococcus mutans and candida albicans dual-species bioflms

Objective: Chitosan nanoparticle (nanochitosan) has a broad antimicrobial spectrum against diverse pathogenic
microorganisms. However, its efect on dental caries-associated microorganisms, such as Streptococcus mutans and
Candida albicans is yet to be explored. These microorganisms are known for causing early childhood caries. Therefore,
this study was aimed at investigating nanochitosan inhibition capacity against dual-species bioflms of S. mutans and
C. albicans. In this study, nanochitosan antimicrobial activity is reported against mono and dual bioflm species of S.
mutans and/or C. albicans at 3 and 18 h incubation time. Nanochitosan inhibition capacity was observed through
bioflm mass quantity and cell viability.
Results: The present study successfully synthesized nanochitosan with average diameter of approximately
20–30 nm, and also established dual-species bioflms of S. mutans and C. albicans in vitro. With nanochitosan treat‑
ment, the cell viability of both microorganisms signifcantly decreased with the increasing concentration of nano‑
chitosan. There was no signifcant decrease in bioflm mass both in the dual and single-species bioflms after 3 h of
incubation. However, greater inhibition of bioflm was observed at 18 h incubation.