Evaluation of Candida albicans adhesion and biofilm formation on a denture base acrylic resin containing silver nanoparticles

Aim: This study firstly evaluated the activity of a silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) solution against Candida albicans and then the effect of incorporation of AgNPs into a denture base acrylic resin on the material’s hydrophobicity, C. albicans adhesion and biofilm formation. Methods and Results: The AgNPs solution was synthesized by chemical reduction and characterized. Minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum fungicidal (MFC) concentrations for planktonic cells and sessile cells (MFCs) of the AgNPs solution against C. albicans were determined. Specimens (n = 360) of silver‐incorporated acrylic resin at concentrations of 1000, 750, 500, 250 and 30 ppm were also prepared and stored in PBS for 0, 7, 90 and 180 days. Control was acrylic resin without AgNPs (0 ppm). After the storage periods, contact angles were measured and the specimens were used for C. albicans adherence (37°C; 90 min; n = 9) and biofilm formation (37°C; 48 h; n = 9) by XTT reduction assay. MIC, MFC and MFCs values were 3·98, 15·63 and 1000 ppm, respectively. Incorporation of AgNPs reduced the hydrophobicity of the resin. No effect on adherence and biofilm formation was observed. At 90 and 180 days of storage, there was significant increase in adherence and biofilm formation. Conclusions: Although the AgNPs solution had antifungal activity, no effect on C. albicans adherence and biofilm formation was observed after its incorporation into a denture base resin. Significance and Impact of the Study: The synthesized AgNPs solution is a promising antifungal agent, warranting investigations of more efficient methods of incorporation into denture base resins.