Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of different methods of disinfecting alginate contaminated with Candida albicans (C. albicans) through the use of 0.2% peracetic acid, pepper rosemary (Lippiamenosides cham.), Chlorhexidine digluconate 2% and sodium hypochlorite 1%. Methods: Biofilms of C. albicans ATCC 10231 were developed for 48 h. Then, alginate discs (Hydrogum 5) were contaminated with C. albicans for 3 minutes and were subjected to disinfection by spray for 10 min, except for the discs of the control groups (only contamination) or initial wash. Cell quantification was performed after the time of immediate contamination and after 5 days. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test (α = 0.05). Results: The only contaminated discs showed the highest growth of C. albicans in the immediate and late analysis (p <0.05). The discs with only initial washing showed a higher growth of microorganisms in relation to those that were disinfected, regardless of the analysis time (p <0.05). As for disinfected disks, there was no growth of microorganisms, regardless of the agent used and time of analysis (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The spray of peracetic acid, pepper rosemary, chlorhexidine digluconate and sodium hypochlorite showed, therefore, fungicidal power in the disinfection of alginate molds.