Antimicrobial properties of Zeolite and Titanium Dioxide containing nanoparticles .

Objectives: The use of nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent has attracted attention in endodontics due to their greater antimicrobial properties. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) were suggested to have multiple antimicrobial mechanisms. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect against Candida albicans when silver nanoparticles are loaded into zeolite and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) carriers.

Methods: Ag-NPs were loaded into two types of Zeolite (Zeolite Y and Clinoptilolite Zeolite) and Titanium dioxide using wet impregnation method. The impregnation of TiO₂ + Ag-NP was done under dark conditions. The prepared TiO₂ + Ag-NP slurry was then divided into two containers. One was protected from light, while the other was exposed to light. The samples were then divided into five groups (Zeolite Y + Ag-NP, Clinoptilolite Zeolite + Ag-NP, TiO₂ + Ag-NP light protected, TiO₂ + Ag-NP light exposed and Ag-NP used as positive control). The effect of the prepared slurries was then tested against C.albicans using an agar diffusion test. Fifteen paper disks were impregnated with the prepared slurries. Three paper disks were used for each group and placed onto brain heart infusion agar plates pre-adsorbed with C.albicans and then incubated for 24 h at 37^oC. The largest diameter of growth inhibition zone around each paper disk was recorded in millimeters.
Results: The results of this study showed greater zone of inhibition of C. albicans in the following order (Zeolite Y + Ag-NP > Clinoptilolite Zeolite + Ag-NP > TiO₂ + Ag-NP light protected > Ag-NP solution > TiO₂ + Ag-NP light exposed).
Conclusions: The use of different types of zeolite and TiO₂ as carriers for silver nanoparticles can provide great antimicrobial effect against C.albicans. The use of Zeolite and TiO₂ as carriers for silver nanoparticles show promise as novel materials that can combat persistent root canal pathogens.