Comparison of antibacterial effect of three bioactive glasses

Antibacterial effects of three powdered bioactive glasses were compared by measuring the pH of the simulated body fluid in immediate contact with the glass powder particles and by cultivating four microorganisms in the powder-solution mixtures. After individual cultivation with the microorganisms the bioactive glasses showed ability to kill bacteria, but the effects were very dependent on glass composition and on the microorganism as well as on cultivation time. The results indicated that antimicrobial property of bioactive glasses correlates with their ability to change the pH of the body fluid in immediate contact with the glass. However, the increase in pH is not the only factor influencing the antimicrobial properties.