Curcumin Nanocrystals: Production, Physicochemical Assessment, and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Effects against Bacterial Loading of the Implant Fixture

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to prepare and study physicochemical properties as well as the antibacterial action of curcumin nanocrystals inside the implant fixture against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). Methods: Curcumin nanocrystals were prepared via precipitation combined with the spray drying method. The produced curcumin nanocrystals were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, the in vitro antimicrobial effect of curcumin nanocrystals inside the implant fixture was assessed against E. coli, S. aureus, and E. faecalis. All implant-abutment assemblies were immersed in bacterial suspensions and were incubated at 24, 48, and 72 h. The contents of each implant were cultured to count the colony of bacteria at 37 ◦C for 24 h. Results: The prepared curcumin nanocrystals with a mean particle size of 95 nm and spherical morphology exhibited a removal rate of 99.99% for all bacteria. In addition, the colony-forming unit (CFU) of bacteria in exposure to nanocrystals significantly was reduced (p < 0.010) by increasing the time. Conclusions: Curcumin nanocrystals can be used inside the implant fixture as an antimicrobial agent in order to more stabilization of the implant.