Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Heat-Cured Soft Denture Liner Impregnated with Chitosan Nanoparticles

The most serious problem of the resilient denture lining materials is colonization and penetration of the soft-liner surface by Candia albicans and related Candida species. So, this research was oriented to check the antifungal effect of Chitosan nanop articles (CHs NPs) incorporated into heat-cured acrylic soft liners. 60 specimens were prepared, 30 specimens for disk diffusion test and other 30 specimens for viable count of C. albicans test. The specimens split into six groups depending on different percentages of Chitosan NPs addition: 0.5wt%, 1.5wt%, 2.5wt%, 3.5wt%, 4.5wt%, and control group withou t addition 0%). For disk diffusion test, the autoclaved soft lining samples were fitted into sterilized Petri dish containi ng Mueller Hinton agar upon which candidal suspension were swabbed then fitted the samples on the agar surface, in cubated for 24 hrs. Then the inhibition zones were measured by utilizing digital caliper ruler. For viable count test, t he autoclaved samples of soft liner were submersion in sterilized tubes containing Sabouraud dextrose broth in which a small amount of candidal suspension, incubated for 24hrs. The Results of the disk-diffusion test showed the highest mean value of the inhibition zone at 3.5wt% group follow ed by 4.5wt% group and there was no inhibition zone for control and other experimental groups. Furthermore, the vi ability test indicated the colony forming units of C. albicans were decrease as the percentage of CHs NPs increased. With limitation of this study, it was concluded the CHs NPs considered as a strong antifungal agent and the impregnation of the chitosan nanoparticles into soft liner that help to form a soft lining material with antifungal activity and minimal candida associated infection.