Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Nanocomposites Based on Nano-Hydroxyapatite (HAP), Chitosan, and Vitamin K2

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of nanocomposites containing vitamin K2, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP), and chitosan (Chito)-coated dental implants against clinically relevant microbial strains.

Materials and methods: Four test compounds were prepared: vitamin K2 + nHAP, K2 + Chito + nHAP, vitamin K2, and vitamin K2 + Chito. Agar well diffusion test was conducted to assess the antimicrobial activity of these compounds against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). Results: The vitamin K2 + nHAP nanocomposite exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms, with E. faecalis showing the highest sensitivity (25 mm zone of inhibition at 100 µL concentration). The K2 + Chito + nHAP nanocomposite demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity with C. albicans displaying the highest sensitivity (28 mm zone of inhibition at 100 µL concentration). Pure vitamin K2 showed limited antimicrobial activity, vitamin K2 combined with chitosan exhibited significant susceptibility to C. albicans, resulting in a substantial inhibition zone of 24 mm diameter at a concentration of 100 µL.

Conclusion: The synergistic effects of vitamin K2 with nHAP and chitosan highlight the potential of these nanocomposites for biomedical applications. These findings contribute to the development of effective nanocomposites to address antimicrobial resistance and improve infection control in various biomedical fields.

Keywords: antimicrobial; biofilm; chitosan; dental; disk diffusion test; health; hydroxyapatite nanoparticles; implant coatings; nanocomposites; vitamin k2.

Figure 1. Graphical illustration of Antimicrobial Effectiveness at Various Concentrations of Different Compounds

Antimicrobial activity of all the groups (A: vitamin K2 + nHAP; B: vitamin K2 + Chito + nHAP; C: vitamin K2; D: vitamin K2 + chitosan) at varying concentrations. The X axis represents the concentrations of the respective test compounds at 25 µL, 50 µL, and 100 µL, while the Y axis represents the zone of inhibition in mm.

Figure 2. Antimicrobial Activity of Vitamin K2 (A), Vitamin K2 and Chitosan (B), Vitamin K2 and nHAP (C), and Vitamin K2, Chitosan, + nHAP (D) [(a) C. albicans, (b) S. mutans, (c) S. aureus, (d) E. faecalis]

2A: Antimicrobial activity of vitamin K2 a) C. albicans, b) S. mutans, c) S. aureus, d) E. faecalis. 2B: Antimicrobial activity of vitamin K2 and chitosan a) C. albicans, b) S. mutans, c) S. aureus, d) E. faecalis. 2C: Antimicrobial activity of vitamin K2 and nHAP a) C. albicans, b) S. mutans, c) S. aureus, d) E. faecalis. 2D: Antimicrobial activity of vitamin K2, chitosan, and nHAP a) C. albicans, b) S. mutans, c) S. aureus, d) E. faecalis.