Antimicrobial and cytotoxicity effect of gum Arabic-silver nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the antimicrobial and cytotoxicity effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) manufactured by means of green synthesis using gum Arabic against microorganisms associated with oral biofilm. METHODS: Two types of AgNPs (4g/1g) were synthesized from gum Arabic powder (GA). These GA-AgNPs were characterized via UV-Vis spectral analysis, DLS, FTIR, and TEM. Additionally, the stability of both GA-AgNPs was tested in artificial media representing the condition on the oral cavity. Subsequently, their antimicrobial activity was tested against S.sanguinis, S.mutans, L.acidophilus,and C.albicansusing disc diffusion method. Their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were established. Finally, cytotoxicity was tested on the buccal mucosa fibroblast cells (BMF) using MTT assay. RESULTS: Both GA-AgNPs were spherical, ranging between 10-20nm in diameter and were more stable in Mullier Hinton Broth compared to the other media tested. 4gGA-AgNPs had relatively comparable zones of inhibition to chlorohexidine, whereas those for 1gAgNPs were negligible. The average MIC90 & MIC50 for 4gAgNPs range between 3.125-12.5µg/ml, with 25-100µg/ml for 1gGA-AgNPs. The 1gGA-AgNPs had more than 60% survival below 25µg/ml, while 4gGA-AgNPs was below 3.125µg/ml. CONCLUSION: 4gGA-AgNPs showed the highest antimicrobial activity against the tested oral microbes, however with higher cytotoxicity that needs to be reduced for further dental application. © FASEB.