Synthesis of Core-Shell Chitosan-TiO2 Nanoparticles and Its Impact on Candida albicans Biofilm Inhibition on 3D-Printed Denture Base Resins: An In Vitro Study.

Objective

This study aimed to obtain a core-shell chitosan-TiO2 nanoparticle and to investigate its ability to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm formation when added to 3D-printed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resins. Materials and

Methods

Ionic gelation was employed to prepare and characterize the nanoparticle, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction were used to identify the structure and morphology. Nanoparticle was added to 3D-printed denture resins at four different weight percentages (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) and antibiofilm activity was determined by carrying out Colony Forming Unite (CFU) counts after exposure to C. albicans.

Results

The 0.25 wt.% chitosan-TiO2 group exhibited a significant reduction in colony-forming units (CFUs) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Although higher nanoparticle concentrations showed improved biofilm formation, this was most likely caused by nanoparticle aggregation, which interfered with surface homogeneity and biofilm resistance.

Conclusions

Incorporating a 0.25 wt.% core-shell chitosan-TiO2 nanoparticle into 3D-printed denture base resin markedly improves its antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans while maintaining the material's integrity.