Abstract
BackgroundPhytic acid (IP6) is a promising and emerging agent, and because of its unique structure and distinctive properties, it lends itself to several applications in dentistry. Recently, IP6 was proposed as a potential chelating agent in endodontics. However, there is limited knowledge regarding its antimicrobial and antibiofilm effectiveness. The aims of this study, were therefore to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of IP6 against a range of microbial species and compare these with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The contact time required for IP6 to exert its bactericidal effect on Enterococcus faecalis was also determined.MethodsThe inhibitory and biocidal activities of IP6, EDTA and NaOCl were assessed using a broth microdilution assay against 11 clinical and reference strains of bacteria and a reference strain of Candida albicans. The contact time required for various IP6 concentrations to eliminate planktonic cultures of E. faecalis was determined using a membrane filtration method according to BS-EN-1040:2005. IP6 bactericidal activity was also evaluated using fluorescent microscopy, and the antibiofilm activity of the test agents was also determined.ResultsIP6 was biocidal against all tested microorganisms. At concentrations of 0.5%, 1% and 2%, IP6 required 5 min to exert a bactericidal effect on E. faecalis, while 5% IP6 was bactericidal after 30 s. IP6 also eradicated biofilms of the tested microorganisms. In conclusion, IP6 had notable antimicrobial effects on planktonic and biofilm cultures and exhibited rapid bactericidal effects on E. faecalis. This research highlighted, for the first time the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of IP6, which could be exploited, not only in dental applications, but also other fields where novel strategies to counter antimicrobial resistance are required.
Highlights
Microbial biofilms are integral to the failure of root canal treated teeth (Ricucci et al, 2016; Neelakantan et al, 2017; Pereira et al, 2017)
All agents were effective at inhibiting planktonic growth of test microorganisms
While the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) ranged between 0.018% and 0.145% (Table 2)
Summary
Microbial biofilms are integral to the failure of root canal treated teeth (Ricucci et al, 2016; Neelakantan et al, 2017; Pereira et al, 2017). Root canal irrigants should have broad antibacterial efficacy, be able to remove the smear layer, dissolve organic tissue and should not be toxic to surrounding tissue (Haapasalo et al, 2014). Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are the main irrigants currently used in endodontics (Cheung and Stock, 1993; Hülsmann et al, 2003; Haapasalo et al, 2014). Due to its ability to remove the smear layer, EDTA is the chelating agent of choice for this purpose (Violich and Chandler, 2010). The aims of this study, were to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of IP6 against a range of microbial species and compare these with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The contact time required for IP6 to exert its bactericidal effect on Enterococcus faecalis was determined
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