**Author details**

238 Practical Applications in Biomedical Engineering

Hidrophobicity (%)

Chitosan from crabs

by bacteria (C).

Sources: [2]

**6. Conclusion** 

1.25mg/mL (left) and 5.0mg/mL (right)

C **Figure 2.** Diagram of stratification dispersion of chitosan from fungi and crabs activity: inhibition of bacteria adsorption on dental enamel (A); hydrophobicity of bacteria surface (B) and glucan production

5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95 Hidrophobicity (%) Chitosan from fungi

0.25

0.05

0.25

0.5

0.25 0.5 <sup>1</sup>

1

0.5

0.25 0.5 1

1

0.05

0.05

0.025

0.05

0.025

0.02

0.025

*S. mutans S. mitis S. oralis S. sanguis* 

Experiments were conducted in the department of chemistry's fundamental UFPE verified the penetration depth of chitosan in teeth enamel for two specimens by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images. Chitosan was applied only to half of the teeth surface. The image in the left was obtained for a chitosan concentration of 1.25mg/ml. it is clearly seen the penetration of chitosan as indicated by the brighter area (caused by light scattering) in the figure, only in the region where chitosan may act as a mechanical barrier for the acid penetration in the enamel, which would explain its effect in the demineralization inhibition [2].

**Figure 3.** Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images of specimens treated with chitosan at

The use of chitosan in different formulations, such as toothpaste (Chitodent®), mouthwash solution and chewing gum, is mentioned in literature [8-10]. In all forms the chitosan has Thayza Christina Montenegro Stamford *Department of Physiology and Pathology, Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba-PB, Brazil* 

Thatiana Montenegro Stamford-Arnaud *Post-graduate in Materials Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil* 

Horacinna Maria de Medeiros Cavalcante and Rui Oliveira Macedo *Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba-PB, Brazil* 

Galba Maria de Campos-Takaki\* *Nucleus of Research in Environmental Sciences, Catholic University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil* 
