5% Hop extract as disinfectant agent of orthodontic pliers

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize and develop a hop extract disinfectant solution and to evaluate the effectiveness of a 5% hop extract solution in the disinfection of distal cut orthodontic pliers. Methods Distal cutting pliers (n=15) previously contaminated by S. mutans, randomized into 5 experimental groups (n=3): G1/AUT – autoclaved (negative control); G2/CNT – contaminated by S. mutans (positive control); G3/CLX – 2% Chlorhexidine; G4/HOP – 5% Hop Extract; G5/ALC − 70% Alcohol. The chemical parameters of the Hop extract solution was analyzed by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry. After contamination, the pliers were immersed for 3 minutes in the respective disinfectant protocol. The microbiological analysis and the quantification of Colony Forming Unit (CFU/ml) were performed in pure and 1:10, 1:100 and 1:1000 serial dilutions. The result of the chemical analyzes were descriptive, and the microbiological analysis were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey’s test with a significance level of 5%. Results The major chemical compounds were α- and β-acids. In microbiological tests, it was shown that all experimental groups differed significantly from G1/AUT (p<0.05). In the pure and 1:100 serial dilution, G2/CNT showed a significantly higher value than the other groups evaluated (p<0.05). In the 1:1000 dilution, G5/ALC showed a significantly higher average (p<0.05) than the others and did not differ only from G2/CNT (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the CFU/mL of G4/HOP compared to G1/AUT and G3/CLX (p<0.05). Conclusion The 5% hop extract solution demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness in the disinfection of orthodontic pliers contaminated with S. mutans.