Microbial colonization on polymers: Effects of sample preparation and incorporation of quaternary ammonium salts

Published

September 13, 2009

Author(s)

Nancy Lin, Diana N. Zeiger, Joseph M. Antonucci, Bruce O. Fowler, Christopher Stafford, Sheng Lin-Gibson

Abstract

Controlling bacterial growth in the oral environment presents many challenges. To address these challenges, new materials and treatments are needed along with controlled, reproducible methods to evaluate their efficacy. In this study, a reproducible method for photopolymerizing samples was selected and utilized to evaluate a novel cationic monomer containing a quaternary ammonium functionality. Using a model dimethacrylate resin system, several preparation methods were compared to identify a preferred protocol. The opposing substrate against which the samples were polymerized significantly affected the surface properties of the polymer and the initial colonization of Streptococcus mutans. Polymerizing the samples between untreated glass slides was selected as the preferred method. Using this method, bacteria colonization was evaluated on polymers containing this novel dimethacrylate monomer that was synthesized using a modified Menschutkin reaction and incorporated into the model resin system at various concentrations. At only 10 % mass fraction, the cationic monomer reduced initial bacterial colonization. Thus, a novel monomer with the potential to alter bacterial growth, as well as a reproducible method for fabricating samples, was identified. These fabrication protocols have utility in evaluating dental materials, including various antibacterial monomers, and are expected to translate to other applications for controlled bacterial attachment.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the International Water Association (IWA) Specialized Conference on Processes in Biofilms: Fundamentals to Applications

Conference Dates

September 13-16, 2009

Conference Location

Davis, CA, US

Conference Title

International Water Association (IWA) Specialized Conference on Processes in Biofilms: Fundamentals to Applications

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

antibacterial, dental polymer, Menschutkin reaction, photopolymerization, quaternary ammonium salt, Streptococcus mutans, surface chemistry, Dentistry

Citation

Lin, N. , Zeiger, D. , Antonucci, J. , Fowler, B. , Stafford, C. and Lin-Gibson, S. (2009), Microbial colonization on polymers: Effects of sample preparation and incorporation of quaternary ammonium salts, Proceedings of the International Water Association (IWA) Specialized Conference on Processes in Biofilms: Fundamentals to Applications , Davis, CA, US, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=902286 (Accessed October 24, 2025)