Aim: To synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of novel nanocomposites containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) associated or not to β-calcium glycerophosphate.
Materials & methods: These nanocomposites were produced through a 'green' route using extracts of different parts of pomegranate. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans were determined by the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration and biofilm density after treatments.
Results: All extracts used were successful in producing AgNPs. Composites made with peel extracts showed the highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against both microorganisms tested and performed similarly or even better than chlorhexidine.
Conclusion: AgNPs associated or not to calcium glycerophosphate produced by a 'green' process may be a promising novel antimicrobial agent against oral microorganisms.
Keywords: biofilm; silver nanoparticles; ‘green’ synthesis.