Antibacterial Activity of Cobalt Ferrite (CoFe2O4) Nanoparticles against Oral Enterococci

This study aimed to show the enhanced effect of nanoparticles cobalt ferrite CoFe2O4 with chlorhexidine on Enterococcus faecium isolated from failure root canal treatment cases. Sol-gel technique was used to prepare the spinel cobalt ferrite CoFe2O4 at 200 °C then sintering at 400 °C & 600 °C, whereas the antimicrobial susceptibility test of nanoparticles was carried out according to the Kirby-Bauer technique compared with chlorhexidine. Fifteen isolates of Enterococcus faecium obtained by inserting sterile paper points in root canals, from patients who consulted the Teaching Hospital of Dentistry College at the University of Mosul, Iraq. For the first time, results showed that the nanoparticle cobalt ferrite CoFe2O4 at 400 °C and 600 °C, when mixed with chlorhexidine, give the mean inhibition zone 8.5334 mm and 8.0667mm respectively, while the pure chlorhexidine was providing a mean inhibition zone of 3.1667 mm, and also the nanoparticles cobalt ferrite in both cases of sintering without mixing, there was no antimicrobial effect. Statistical analysis using Duncan showed significant differences among groups (p < 0.05).