Biocidal effect of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles on human oral microbiome and biofilm formation

Oral cavity bacteria, specifically those involved in biofilm formation and dental ailments, are major health concerns. Thus, the ability of CuO (40 nm) and ZnO (35 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized in this study was assessed in vitro for inhibition of culturable oral bacteria and their biofilm formation. Both the NPs at a concentration of 50 mu g/ml significantly inhibited the growth of total oral bacteria, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production and biofilm formation on the glass, acrylic dentures and cultured human epithelial cells, as models. The results elucidated strong bactericidal action of CuO- and ZnO-NPs, which significantly reduces the oral bacterial load and eventually inhibits the growth of oral biofilm colonizers. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.