Date of Award
Spring 2021
Thesis Type
Open Access
Degree Name
Honors Bachelor of Arts
Department
Biology
Sponsor
Dr. Brendaliz Santiago-Narvaez
Committee Member
Dr. Laurel Habgood
Committee Member
Dr. Anne Murdaugh and Dr. Pamela Brannock
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is identified as the causative agent of human dental caries, with biofilm formation serving as its most important virulence factor. Biofilms are typically more challenging to treat than planktonic or free-floating bacteria, adding to the already challenging issue of antibiotic resistance. This has led to an increased need for the discovery of alternative antibacterial compounds other than antibiotics. Among these compounds, silver(I) cyanoximates have been demonstrated to have antibacterial activity against a variety of microorganisms, specifically those that colonize in-dwelling medical devices. To assess the antibacterial properties of two silver(I) cyanoximate compounds, silver(I) nitrosodicyanomethanide (Ag(ACO)) and silver(I)α-oximido-(2-benzoyl)acetonitrile (Ag(BCO)), growth curves, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) assays, and biofilm disruption assays were performed against S. mutans UA159. Both compounds inhibited planktonic growth and significantly decreased or disrupted biofilm formation at concentrations between 8 µg/mL and 128 µg/mL. The study of compounds that can target biofilm forming organisms contributes to the overall understanding of how to successfully target S. mutans and may lead to better treatment and prevention of dental caries as well as other biofilm related infections.
Recommended Citation
Hameer, Sarah, "Antimicrobial Activity of Silver(I) Cyanoximates Against Streptococcus mutans UA159 Planktonic Growth and Biofilm Formation" (2021). Honors Program Theses. 146.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/honors/146
Rights Holder
Sarah Hameer