Assessment of a novel antifungal ionic liquid-mediated silicone denture base soft liner

Introduction: This in vitro study aimed to develop a novel choline-based ionic liquid-incorporated silicone denture base soft liners (SDBSLs) with improved antifungal potential and compliance in standard properties. Methods: Choline borate (CB) ionic liquid was synthesized, characterized, and blended with a silicone liner (Molloplast-B) in concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5% w/w to form the experimental group, CB, with three subgroups (CB1%, CB2%, and CB5%, respectively). Commercial silicone liners served as the negative control, while silicone liners blended with the antifungal drug itraconazole (1.25% wt/wt) were the positive control. The antifungal potential against Candida albicans was evaluated via a direct-contact assay, with growth inhibition quantified by measuring the culture turbidity (OD600). The tear strength was determined using the type A test and the Shore A hardness was measured using a durometer. A physical parameter, percent mass change (%), was tested using the immersion method (at 1 week and 6 weeks). The Alamar Blue assay was performed to assess the biocompatibility of the samples. Results: Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 25, with p = <0.001. The results showed that CB1% had the most significant inhibitory effect on C. albicans growth (83.71%). The drug- incorporated liners gained the most weight (5.00 ± 0.11%). The liners in CB5% were the toughest, with a tear strength of 5.31 ± 1.84 kN/m. The liners in the negative control group (Molloplast-B) were the softest (Shore A = 60.16 ± 1.07), followed by those in CB5% (51.33 ± 1.40). The biocompatibility of the ionic liquid-modified samples was better than that of the positive controls. Conclusion: The novel choline borate in silicone liners enhanced the antifungal potential and met the standard criteria of physical and mechanical compliance.