Maintenance of physicochemical, optical, and biological properties of conventional glass ionomer cement enriched with an anacardic acid-derivative compound

TL;DR

This study shows that adding a compound from cashew nutshells to a dental cement maintains its properties and adds antimicrobial benefits.

Contribution

The novel use of anacardic acid derivative in glass ionomer cement to enhance antimicrobial activity without compromising key properties.

Findings

LDT11 at 0.5% and 1% significantly reduced S. mutans viability compared to control.

LDT11 incorporation up to 1% maintained setting time, acid-base reaction efficiency, and surface roughness.

At 2%, LDT11 increased water sorption and caused visible color changes.

Abstract

To evaluate the physicochemical, optical, and antimicrobial properties of a conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) modified with anacardic acid (LDT11).

LDT11, extracted from cashew nutshells, was incorporated into GIC (FX ULTRA, Shofu, USA) at 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/w), with 0% as control. Disc-shaped specimens (6–15 mm diameter × 1 mm thickness) were prepared for all evaluations. Setting time (ISO 9917; n = 3), acid-base reaction efficiency (FTIR, COO−/COOH ratio; n = 3), water sorption and solubility (ISO 4049; n = 5), diffusion coefficient (n = 5), surface roughness (Ra, Rz, Rv; n = 5), and color parameters (CIELab, CIEDE2000; n = 5) were measured. Antimicrobial characterizations were carried out, with discs inoculated with Streptococcus mutans UA159 and incubated anaerobically for 7 days (early biofilms) and 14 days (mature biofilms). Biofilms were dyed with the Live/Dead biofilm viability kit and then imaged using confocal laser scanning microscopy (n = 6). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc or Kruskal-Wallis with Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner tests (p < 0.05).

LDT11 incorporation did not significantly affect setting time, acid-base reaction efficiency, solubility, diffusion coefficient, and surface roughness. FTIR spectra revealed no alterations in setting-related functional groups, while LDT11 was identified in the 1000–1100 cm⁻¹ range. At 2%, LDT11 significantly increased water sorption and caused visible color changes (p < 0.05). The 0.5% and 1% groups significantly reduced S. mutans viability compared to control, with the 1% group exhibiting the most pronounced and sustained effect (p < 0.0001).

Incorporation of the anacardic acid derivative up to 1% maintained physicochemical properties of GIC while providing antimicrobial activity.

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