Analysis of the Antimicrobial Efficacy, In Vitro, of Oral Antiseptics on Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the action, in vitro, of hydrogen peroxide in the concentrations of 1%, 1.5% and 3%, of cetylpyridinium chloride, of benzalkonium chloride of 1.3% and of chlorhexidine 0.12% associated with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide over standardized strains of microorganisms Enterococcus faecalis; Staphylococcus aureus; Candida albicans and Escherichia coli, aspiring to determine which is the best product. Chlorhexidine 0.12% was used as a positive control and sterile distilled water as a negative control. Methodology: Standardized suspensions of the microorganisms were prepared, poured and spread over the culture media. Sterile 4 mm paper discs were placed on the seeded agar and soaked with 15 microliters (uL) of each of the antiseptics. The plates were incubated in a bacteriological oven at 37º Celsius for 48 hours. The results were obtained through the growth inhibition halo. Results: The antiseptic that obtained the greatest antimicrobial action was the association of hydrogen peroxide at 1.5% with chlorhexidine at 0.12%, followed by benzalkonium chloride 1.3%. Hydrogen peroxide at 1% did not show any antimicrobial activity. Conclusions: The 0.12% chlorhexidine associated with 1.5% hydrogen peroxide demonstrated the best antimicrobial action, indicating a possible synergistic action between the products, increasing the efficiency when compared to the isolated use of each active ingredient. Benzalkonium chloride 1.3%, also showed an effective antimicrobial action, indicating that these products or combinations have a great potential to be used as an active ingredient in mouthwashes.