Antimicrobial effect of the incorporation of zirconium oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles to the Portland cement against Candida albicans and Entrococcus faecalis

Abstract

Introduction: Adding some of the nanoparticles to Portland cement can provide antimicrobial activity,which is a major factor to induce mineralization and hard tissue formation.There fore , this study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc oxide and zirconium oxide nanoparticles on the antimicrobial property of Portland cement against Entrococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.

Materials and methods: In this study ,9 experimental groups were tested for the addition of two typesof nanoparticles of zinc oxide and zirconium oxide were studied at 1,4,24,48 and 72 hour intervals.First,the nanoparticles were prepared and the added to the weight ratio 30% to 70% of the Portland cement.Microorganisms are cultured and were physicaly in direct contact with Portland cement compounds with nanoparticles.Growth of microorganisms and theire concentration were evaluated by MEIT analysis.Antimicrobial effect of adding nanoparticles to Portland cement against Candida albicans and Entrococcus faecalis was evaluated through CFC.The results of each group were analyzed by Kraskal Wallis and Mann_Whitney tests. The significance level was considered p < 0.05 .

Results: The results showed that the increase of zinc oxide and zirconium oxide in Portland cement increased the antimicrobial properties of Portland against entroccus faecalis(p<0.05). However, it does not have a significant effect on antibacterial properties against Candida albicans(p>0.05).Also, in 4 hours after exposure, the zirconium oxide antibacterial effect on Entrococcus faecalis was significantly more than zinc oxide. At 24,48 and 72 hours, complete inhibition of Entrococcus faecalis and Candida albicans growth was observed in all groups.

Conclusion: Adding zirconium oxide and zinc oxide to Portland cement increases Antibacterial properties of Portland cement against Entrococcus faecalis . But the effect does not have a significant effect on the antimicrobial effect of Candida albicans.