POTENTIAL ANTIFUNGAL EFFECT OF ACACIA ARABICA EXTRACT VERSUS STERILE WATER REGARDING SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY OF DENTURE BASE MATERIALS: AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Introduction: Acacia Arabica (AA) revealed its plant's antibacterial properties. However, there is no information on how it affects the number of Candida albicans (C. albicans). Purpose: To ascertain the potential antifungal effect of (AA) gum extract at two time points on different denture resins. Materials & Methods: In total, 52 square specimens were fabricated from 4 groups of denture base materials, (n=12) each; Group I: heat cured PMMA; Group II: Polyamide; Group III: milled resin and Group IV: 3D-printed resin. 4 more specimens were prepared for SEM imaging; 1 from each material. For C. albicans to colonize and adhere to the specimens, they were incubated with it for 48-hour period. A total of; 6 specimens/group were immersed in sterile water (control group), while 6 additional specimens/group were immersed in 50% (w/v) AA gum extract (test group). CFUs calculated after two time points (3 and 8 hours). ANOVA test was used to evaluate the data, and Fisher's LSD test was then used to perform multiple comparisons between different groups. Results: After 3 and 8 hours, the amount of C. albicans attached to PMMA specimens was significantly lower with AA gum extract (P ≤ 0.05& P ≤ 0.001). A reduction of C. albicans count was noticed on 3D-printed specimens significantly after 8 hours (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: The use of AA gum extract 50% (w/v) showed a promising antifungal effect by reducing C. albicans count on denture base materials, in relation to their methods of manufacturing which affect their surface topography.