In vitro Analysis of Antifungal Effects of Acrylic Resin Modified by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Candida albicans

Removable prostheses made of polymethyl methacrylate are susceptible to Candida-dependent denture stomatitis and Candida albicans is considered to be the first common cause. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antifungal effect of acrylic resin modified by zinc oxide nanoparticles.

In this laboratory study, 72 disks (10*4 mm) made of polymethyl methacrylate (Acropars, Marlic, Iran) were divided into three groups (n= 24). Concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were 1 (group A), 0.5 (group B), and 0 (group C, control) mg/ml. Samples were studied in laboratory using Candida albicans strains (ATCC 10231) according to CLSI M27-A3 and M27-S4 documents. For data analysis, one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post-test were performed using SPSS V24.

There were significant differences in mean numbers of fungal colonies in study groups. The amount of fungal colonies in group A was lower than those in group B and in group B was lower than those in group C (P<0.05).

Considering the limitations of this study, findings showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles have antifungal activity, which increases by increase in concentration of nanoparticles.