Comparison of antimicrobial activity of two chelating agents chitosan and etidronate against Enterococcus faecalis using agar diffusion test

Abstract

Etidronate and chitosan are relatively newer chelating agents used in endodontic practice. Little is known about their additional antimicrobial properties. In this study, we compared the activity of etidronate and chitosan against Enterococcus faecalis using agar diffusion test. Zones of inhibition were compared between the two agents, positive control (2% chlorhexidine) and negative control (1% acetic acid). The antibacterial activity of 18% etidronate against E. faecalis was found to be significantly superior to that of 0.2% chitosan.