Zerovalent bismuth nanoparticles inhibit Streptococcus mutans growth and formation of biofilm

Figures & data

Figure 1 High-resolution transmission electron microscopic image of an isolated zerovalent bismuth nanoparticle.

Notes: The colloidal sample to obtain this image was prepared a few minutes before the microscopy session. Final concentrations of the chemical reagents are 2 × 10⁻³ M Bi(NO₃)₃ · 5H₂O, 4 × 10⁻⁴ M Na₃(C₆H₅O₇) · 2H₂O, and 4 × 10⁻⁴ M NaBH4 in dimethyl sulfoxide.

Figure 2 Antimicrobial activity of zerovalent bismuth nanoparticles against Streptococcus mutans growth.

Notes: The y axis shows the optical density units of S. mutans growth. S. mutans culture without any inhibitor was used as growing control and chlorhexidine 0.12% as a positive inhibition control. Zerovalent bismuth nanoparticles were used at a final concentration of 2 mM.

Figure 3 Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans biofilm detected by fluorescence microscopy.

Notes: S. mutans culture without any inhibitor was used as growing control and chlorhexidine 0.12% as a positive inhibition control. Zerovalent bismuth nanoparticles were used at a final concentration of 2 mM.