Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Measuring Volatile and Non-volatile Antifungal Activity of Biocontrol Products
Published on: December 5, 2020
Antifungal activity of endosequence root repair material and mineral trioxide aggregate
Fahd Alsalleeh1, Nicole Chung2, Lane Stephenson2
1Department of Surgical Specialties, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry, Lincoln, Nebraska; Restorative Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM; Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA) as compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) using Candida albicans.
Methods:
All materials were packed into sterilized intravenous tubing to obtain standardized samples and allowed to set for 3 or 24 hours and then exposed to a suspension of C. albicans for incubations of 24 or 48 hours. To analyze the mechanisms of the material's antifungal activity, additional samples of each test material were prepared in the same manner and allowed to set for 24 hours; these were then incubated in a culture medium for 24 hours. The pH of each conditioned media was measured before transferring to wells containing C. albicans. The development of biofilm was analyzed after 24 and 48 hours with 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-([phenyl amino] carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide reduction assay.
Results:
Materials in both experimental groups significantly limited biofilm formation at each interval (ie, 24 and 48 hours). After incubating for a 24-hour period in the presence of C. albicans, ERRM in both experimental groups showed a reduction in biofilm formation that was statistically significant in comparison with MTA. However, when set for 24 hours and incubated for 48 hours, gray MTA and white MTA showed a more substantial reduction in biofilm formation than comparable samples of ERRM. Cultured media conditioned with test materials showed statistically significant antifungal biofilm activity after 48 hours.
Conclusions:
All materials tested have comparable antifungal biofilm activity. It appeared that changing the environment, such as the pH, contributed to this activity.
Insights
Both Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) show antifungal biofilm activity against Candida albicans. ERRM demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in biofilm formation compared to MTA at 24 hours.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Dental pulp capping and root canal filling materials are crucial for tooth repair.
- Candida albicans is a common opportunistic fungal pathogen in endodontic infections.
- Investigating the antifungal properties of biomaterials is essential for clinical success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the antifungal activity of Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) against Candida albicans.
- To evaluate the efficacy of ERRM in inhibiting fungal biofilm formation.
- To compare ERRM's performance with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).
Main Methods:
- Standardized samples of ERRM and MTA were prepared and exposed to Candida albicans.
- Biofilm development was assessed at 24 and 48 hours using a colorimetric assay.
- The influence of material-conditioned media pH on antifungal activity was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Both ERRM and MTA significantly inhibited Candida albicans biofilm formation at 24 and 48 hours.
- ERRM showed a statistically significant reduction in biofilm compared to MTA at the 24-hour incubation period.
- MTA demonstrated a more substantial reduction in biofilm formation than ERRM at 48 hours.
Conclusions:
- Both ERRM and MTA exhibit comparable antifungal biofilm activity.
- Environmental factors, such as pH, appear to contribute to the antifungal properties of these materials.
