In vitro antimicrobial effects of green tea, microwaving, cold boiled water, and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans on silicone pacifiers

Maryam Hajiahmadi; Jamshid Faghri; Zahra Saliminabi; Hadi Moshkelgosha; Asal Shayankia; Fariba Heidari

In vitro antimicrobial effects of green tea, microwaving, cold boiled water, and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans on silicone pacifiers

Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2022 Mar 21:19:23. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Maryam Hajiahmadi¹, Jamshid Faghri², Zahra Saliminabi³, Hadi Moshkelgosha⁴, Asal Shayankia⁵, Fariba Heidari⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Research Center, Dental Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
² Bacteriology and Virology of Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
³ General Dentist, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
⁴ Dental Research Center, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁵ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.
⁶ Dental Research Center, Dental Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

PMID: 35432794
PMCID: PMC9006150

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effects of green tea, microwaving, cold boiled water, and chlorhexidine (CHX) on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans on silicone pacifiers.

Materials and methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 60 equal-size samples of silicone pacifiers were cut, ultraviolet sterilized, and randomly divided into two groups (n = 30) for immersion in 0.5 McFarland standard suspension of S. mutans and C. albicans. The samples in each group were then randomly divided into five subgroups (n = 6) for disinfection with 0.12% CHX, cold boiled water, green tea, microwaving for 7 min, and distilled water. The sample suspensions were cultured on blood agar (for S. mutans) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (for C. albicans) and incubated. The number of colonies was counted after 24 and 48 h. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (P < 0.05).

Results: At 24 and 48 h, the S. mutans colony count was the lowest in CHX and green tea subgroups followed by microwave, cold boiled water, and distilled water subgroups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: CHX and green tea can significantly decrease the S. mutans and C. albicans colony count on silicone pacifiers.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Streptococcus mutans; chlorhexidine; microwaves; pacifiers.