Anticariogenic Activity of Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Red Tea: An In vitro Study

Background: Nanotechnology is rapidly growing in various fields of science like medicinal, agricultural and physical and material sciences. Copper nanoparticles are particularly attractive because of copper’s high natural abundance and low cost and the practical and straightforward multiple ways of preparing copper based nanomaterials.

Aim: To assess the anticariogenic activity of copper nanoparticles synthesized using red tea.

Materials and Methods: The red tea powder was acquired. An aqueous extract was prepared and mixed with copper sulphate for copper nanoparticles formation and centrifuged for 10 minutes. The extract was then placed in the well cultured agar plates against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, S. aureus and E. faecalis and incubated for 24 hours. The zones of inhibition were then calculated.

Results: Against S. aureus, 50 μl showed 20 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 16 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 20 mm of zone of inhibition. 19 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against C. albicans, 50 μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 13 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition. 10 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against S. mutans, 50 μl showed 17 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 14 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 19 mm of zone of inhibition. 35 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic. Against E. faecalis, 50 μl showed 12 mm of zone of inhibition, 100 μl showed 15 mm of zone of inhibition and 150 μl showed 19 mm of zone of inhibition. 35 mm of zone of inhibition were noted against the antibiotic.

Conclusion: The anticariogenic activity of copper nanoparticles synthesized using red tea were studied and their wider zones of inhibition were suggestive of good anticariogenic activity. We conclude that copper nanoparticles synthesized using red tea can be used against S. aureus, S. mutans, C. albicans and E. faecalis as an anticariogenic agent.