Effect of Nanoparticles on Biofilm-Growth Disruption: Silver and Platinum Nanoparticles with an Identical Capping Agent

Abstract

Many types of metal nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly available for use as dental materials. The study evaluated the biofilm-growth inhibitory effects of silver NPs (AgNPs) and platinum NPs (PtNPs) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Two types of NPs, stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which has a negative surface charge, were used in this study. This study evaluated the effects of specific NPs, having two different core-metal compositions (Ag and Pt) and an identical surface-capping agent (PVP), on the disruption of initial biofilm growth. This was achieved using a biofilm-forming assay, and micromorphological examinations using a transmission electron microscope. The PtNPs inhibited a biofilm growth against S. mutans; however, no inhibitory effect was found in the case of the AgNPs. It was observed that the PtNPs adhered to the bacteria surface; however, no adhesion was observed in the case of the AgNPs. We speculate that the attachment of the NPs to S. mutans has an inhibitory effect on the biofilm formation during growth.