Electrochemical behavior of titanium exposed to a biofilm supplemented with different sucrose concentrations

Abstract Statement of problem Biofilms can reduce the corrosion resistance of titanium because of the bacterial metabolism of fermentable carbohydrates, including sucrose. However, studies evaluating whether biofilms exposed to higher sucrose concentrations can affect the electrochemical behavior of titanium are lacking. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to test the electrochemical behavior of titanium previously exposed to biofilm supplemented with different sucrose concentrations. Material and methods Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms were formed on commercially pure titanium (cpTi) surfaces and supplemented constantly with different sucrose concentrations (0%, 1%, 10%, and 40%) for 7 days (experimental groups) (n=12 per group). CpTi disks without biofilm were used as a control (n=12). The standard electrochemical tests open-circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic curve were performed. Data were submitted to ANOVA and the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests (α=.05). Results The biofilm exposed to sucrose had an increased biofilm dry weight ( P P P >.05). Conclusions Biofilms exposed to greater carbohydrate concentration did not alter the corrosive behavior of titanium.