Incorporation of the microencapsulated antimicrobial agent phytoncide into denture base resin

Background This study aimed to fabricate a denture base resin ( DBR ) containing phytoncide microcapsules ( PTMC s) and determine the mechanical properties of the resin and antifungal activity. Methods Fifty‐four heat‐cured rectangular DBR specimens (64 × 10 × 3.3 ± 0.2 mm) containing nine concentrations of PTMC between 0 and 5% (wt/wt) were fabricated and subjected to a three‐point bending test. A phytoncide release bioassay was developed using DBR containing 0% and 2.5% PTMC s (wt/wt) in a 24 well‐plate assay with incubation of Porphyromonas gingivalis at 37 °C for 74 h. The antifungal activity of PTMC s against Candida albicans , in a pH 5.5 acidic environment was determined in a plate assay. Results Flexural strength decreased with increasing PTMC concentration from 97.58 ± 4.79 MP a for the DBR alone to 53.66 ± 2.46 MP a for DBR containing 5.0% PTMC . No release of phytoncide from the PTMC s in the DBR was detected at pH 7.4. The PTMC s had a minimal inhibitory concentration of 2.6% (wt/vol) against C. albicans at pH 5.5. Conclusions PTMC s can be added to DBR 2.5% (wt/wt) without adversely affecting flexural strength. PTMC s released the antimicrobial agent at pH 5.5 at concentrations sufficient to inhibit the growth of the C. albicans .