Due to its low tolerance to external factors such as enzymes, dentin collagen often requires stabilization, which can be achieved through cross-linking. In this study, qualitative and quantitative Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses were used to assess dentin collagen stabilization effects of three structurally-different flavonoids -A-type linkage proanthocyanidins (A-PA), B-type linkage proanthocyanidins (B-PA), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), all from natural extracts. Particularly, transmission FTIR spectroscopy was used for the first time to quantitatively assess the biodegradation of fresh ultra-thin (10 µm) dentin collagen films caused by collagenase digestion. Two traditional analytical methods, namely the hydroxyproline assay and weight loss analysis, were also used for comparison purposes. The results from all three methods showed consistently that A-PA and B-PA provide better collagen stabilization than EGCG at concentrations of 0.65% and 1.3% (p<0.01). FTIR is demonstrated to be a valuable and reliable analytical tool for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of ultra-thin collagen films.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.