Antimicrobial activity of salivary peptides against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans dual-species biofilm formed on acrylic resin

Abstract

The aim of this project is to investigate the antimicrobial effect of salivary proteins and synthetic salivary antimicrobiol peptides (AMPs) against dual-species biofilms consisting of Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Streptococcus mutans (UA159) formed on acrylic resin. For this, the salivary proteins (Histatin 3; Histatin 5) and AMPs (DR9-RR14; RR14) will be individually adsorbed onto acrylic resin surface forming a pellicle, followed by the development of dual-species biofilms for up to 48 h (n=12/treatment). The antimicrobial effect of the salivary proteins and AMPs tested will be determined by: 1- Testing the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AMPs needed to inhibit dual-species biofilm growth; 2- Assessing the cell viability of dual-species biofilms adhered to acrylic resin after treatment with AMPs by plate counting (CFU/mL) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM); 3- Quantifying the Extracellular Matrix components: biomass (dry-weight), proteins, alkali-soluble polysaccharides (ASP), water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP), and eDNA.