Ca۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴ Nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterizationand its effect on the colonization of Streptococcus mutans on toothsurface

Background and Aim : The main cause of tooth decay is the biofilm formation of Streptococcusmutans. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs),hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Ca۱۰(PO۴)۶(OH)۲) (HAP NPs), zinc oxide/hydroxyapatitenanocomposites (ZnO/HAP NCs), and Zn-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles(Ca۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴ NPs) on the growth and biofilm formation, bacterial adherence, and theexpression of ftf and gtf genes in Streptococcus mutans.Methods : The nanostructures were prepared via simple and fast co-precipitation route. Twelveisolates of Streptococcus mutans collected from children with dental caries referred to the dentalclinic of Kashan University of Medical Sciences.Results : All S. mutans isolates were susceptible to Ampicillin. The mean MIC for ZnO NPs, HAPNPs, Ca۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴, and ZnO/HAP NCs were ۱۱۸, ۲۶۰, ۷۰.۶, and ۹۹۴ μg/mL, respectively.All prepared nanostructures significantly reduced biofilm formation at MIC and sub-MICconcentrations (p < ۰.۰۱). In biofilm and cell culture treated with nanoparticles, the expression offtf and gtfC genes decreased. Results were shown that IC۵۰ for the Ca۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴ was ۸.۵, andfor non-toxic concentration, was ۰.۰۶۵ μg/mL. The attachment rate to the denture surface andHGF۱ cell line treated with the Ca۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴ NPs has decreasedConclusion : The results showed that the Ca۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴ NPs has a better effect than theZnO/HAP NCs. It can therefore be used as a coating on dental surfaces. Investigation ofCa۱۹Zn۲(PO۴)۱۴ NPs form for covering dental teeth surface recommended in future study.