RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In vitro evaluation of the effect of guaraná (GUAR) on cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), on biofilm formation, and on adhesion of C. albicans to polystyrene, to composite resins, and to buccal epithelial cells (BEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lyophilised aqueous extract of GUAR was tested on C. albicans ATCC (90028). The effect of GUAR was evaluated by examining the CSH of C. albicans, as determined by microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons test, by assessing biofilm production and through adhesion assays (microplates of polystyrene, BEC and composites). One nanoparticle (Z350(®)) and two microhybrid (LLis(®), Opallis(®)) composites were tested. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse adhesion of C. albicans composites. Assays were performed in triplicate and the results analysed by Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's Multiple Comparison post hoc test at 5% significance level. RESULTS: GUAR did not inhibit growth of C. albicans at any concentration, but it reduced adhesion to polystyrene surface (p < 0.001). Exposure to GUAR did not change CSH and biofilm formation, but it increased adhesion of C. albicans to the nanoparticle composite (p = 0.042) and reduced its adhesion to BEC (p < 0.001). SEM confirmed an aggregatory pattern of adhesion of C. albicans to composites. CONCLUSION: GUAR increased the adhesion of C. albicans to the surface of the nanoparticle composite. However, it reduced the adhesion of C. albicans to BEC and to polystyrene, which reveals its potential use in prevention of oral diseases.