Date of Award

Spring 2025

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Honors Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biological Science

Sponsor

Dr. Brendaliz Santiago-Narvaez

Committee Member

Dr. Sabrice Guerrier

Committee Member

Dr. Kasandra Riley

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans is the primary causative agent of dental caries due to its ability to form resilient multispecies biofilms. These biofilms promote acid production and degradation of the protective layers of the tooth, making biofilm formation a target for novel treatments. Silver(I) cyanoximates are of interest as alternatives to traditional antimicrobials and antibiotics due to the high UV and heat resistivity as well as poor solubility of the cyanoxime ligand paired with the well-established antimicrobial silver ion. Previous research has shown that silver(I) cyanoximates can effectively inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation after 24 hours in vitro. This study aimed to evaluate the time-dependent efficacy of the most effective silver(I) cyanoximates—Ag(ECO), Ag(PiCO), and Ag(2PiCO)—in inhibiting S. mutans biofilm formation. In vitro minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) assays were conducted over 24, 48, and 72 hours, and optical density was measured using spectrophotometry to determine biofilm formation. The results of this study indicate that Ag(ECO), Ag(PiCO), and Ag(2PiCO) were all effective and exhibited stable and sustained inhibition of biofilm formation over time at a concentration of 32 μg/ml. Our findings suggest that these silver(I) cyanoximates show promise as antimicrobial and antibiotic alternatives in the field of dentistry.

Rights Holder

Tiffany A Rojas

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Included in

Biochemistry Commons

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