Evaluation of the Antibacterial Potential of an LSMO@TiO₂@g C₃N₄ Nanocomposite toward Streptococcus mutans

In this study, a ternary nanocomposite, LSMO@TiO₂@g‑C₃N₄, was synthesized and evaluated to investigate its antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, one of the primary microorganisms responsible for dental caries. The as‑prepared hybrid nanostructure, benefiting from the magnetic properties of LSMO, the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂, and the excellent electronic conductivity of g‑C₃N₄, exhibited a remarkable synergistic effect in inhibiting bacterial growth. The results revealed that the LSMO@TiO₂@g‑C₃N₄ nanocomposite possesses pronounced antibacterial activity against S. mutans. The inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays confirmed a concentration‑dependent antibacterial behavior. The MIC and MBC values against S. mutans were determined to be within the ranges of ۲–۳ mg/mL and ۴–۵ mg/mL, respectively, highlighting the high inhibitory efficiency of the composite even at relatively low concentrations. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the LSMO@TiO₂@g‑C₃N₄ nanosheets exhibit excellent potential as non‑toxic, multifunctional, and environmentally stable materials for both environmental remediation and biomedical applications. Owing to their strong photocatalytic capability, efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and effective disruption of bacterial cell membranes, the nanocomposite can be considered a promising candidate for dental caries prevention and oral health improvement.

کلیدواژه ها:

LSMO@TiO₂@g‑C₃N₄ nanocomposite ، Streptococcus mutans ، Antibacterial activity ، Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ، Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)