article · Polymers
Dental decay is driven by acid-producing plaque bacteria, notably Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. To counter bacterial colonisation, nanocellulose and silver nanocomposites were synthesised using the seaweed Ulva lactuca as a natural cellulose source and reducing agent. Materials were characterised using electron microscopy and spectroscopy, then tested alone and blended with fluoride against both bacterial strains. Structural analyses confirmed filament-shaped nanocellulose measuring 10 to 15 nanometres, while the silver-loaded nanocomposite measured 15 to 20 nanometres and exhibited greater negative surface charge. Both formulations displayed antibacterial activity against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. The silver nanocomposite proved the most effective overall, followed by formulations blended with fluoride. These naturally derived nanocomposites offer potential as safe, cost-effective antimicrobial additives for oral care formulations such as toothpaste.
Tooth decay is a widespread chronic condition caused by bacterial colonisation in the mouth. Producing effective antimicrobial materials from renewable natural sources, such as marine algae, provides a path towards safer and more affordable oral healthcare ingredients. These materials can inhibit the key bacteria responsible for dental caries, supporting improved daily preventative dental care.
The findings could enable active antibacterial additives for dental care products, specifically toothpaste manufacturers seeking natural or mineral-blended ingredients to combat plaque bacteria. This work represents early-stage laboratory synthesis and in vitro screening. Substantial formulation testing, safety validation, and clinical evaluation will be necessary before the nanocomposites can be translated into commercial oral hygiene products.
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One of the most prevalent chronic infectious disorders is tooth decay. Acids produced when plaque bacteria break down sugar in the mouth cause tooth decay. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus are the most prominent species related to dental caries. Innovative biocidal agents that integrate with a biomaterial to prevent bacterial colonization have shown remarkable promise as a result of the rapid advancement of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this study, Ulva lactuca was used as a cellulose source and reducing agent to synthesize nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites. The characterizations of nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites were tested for FT-IR, TEM, SEM, EDS, XRD, and zeta potential. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and Ulva/nanocellulose, both blended with fluoride, were tested as an antibacterial against S. mutans ATCC 25175 and L. acidophilus CH-2. The results of the SEM proved that nanocellulose is filament-shaped, and FT-IR proved that the functional groups of Ulva/nanocellulose and Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and cellulose are relatively similar but present some small diffusion in peaks. The TEM image demonstrated that the more piratical size distribution of Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites ranged from 15 to 20 nm, and Ulva/nanocellulose ranged from 10 to 15 nm. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites have higher negativity than Ulva/nanocellulose. Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites and Ulva/nanocellulose possess antibacterial activity against S. mutans ATCC 25175 and L. acidophilus CH-2, but Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites are more effective, followed by that blended with fluoride. It is possible to use Ulva/Ag/cellulose/nanocomposites as an antimicrobial agent when added to toothpaste. It is promising to discover an economic and safe nanocomposite product from a natural source with an antimicrobial agent that might be used against tooth bacteria.
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DOI: 10.3390/polym15041047
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