Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effects of Silver-Copper Nanoparticles Obtained by Green Synthesis Against Streptococcus mutans

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-04, Vol.16 (4), p.e58368-e58368
• Main Authors: Merve, Sarıtaş Büşra, Aybek, Yiğit, Karacalı, Tunç Ayşe, Fetiye, Kolaylı
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol; Aluminum; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Biofilms; Copper; Dental caries; Dentistry; Electron microscopes; Fourier transforms; Infectious Disease; Nanoparticles; Spectrum analysis
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58368

Introduction Oral diseases affect billions worldwide, with dental caries being a significant concern. Silver-copper nanoparticles (Ag-Cu NPs) synthesized from pitaya plant extract offer a potential solution due to their antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Ag-Cu NPs on ( ), a major contributor to dental caries. Ag-Cu NPs were synthesized using a green chemical method and characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (U-vis) spectrophotometer, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against was determined using the broth microdilution method, while the antibiofilm effect was assessed by the crystal violet method. The synthesized Ag-Cu NPs demonstrated antimicrobial activity with an MIC of 128 µg/ml, significantly inhibiting biofilm formation by up to 94% at a concentration of 256 µg/ml. Characterization studies confirmed the successful synthesis of Ag-Cu NPs with spherical morphology.  These findings highlight the potential of Ag-Cu NPs as a novel approach for combating dental caries by targeting biofilms. Further research is warranted to explore their safety and efficacy in clinical settings.