{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,22]],"date-time":"2026-10-22T17:46:51Z","timestamp":1792691211592,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":102,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,21]],"date-time":"2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1742515200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/termsAndConditions#vor"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Microscopy Res &amp;amp; Technique"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,8]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title><jats:p>Biofilm formation on tooth surfaces is a primary contributor to dental caries and periodontal diseases. <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>Streptococcus mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> is recognized for its role in biofilm production, significantly influencing the development of dental caries. Key virulence factors associated with <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> biofilms include acid production, acid tolerance, and the synthesis of exopolysaccharides (EPS). This study presents a novel approach by focusing on the loading of biosynthesized zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs) onto polyethylene glycol\/sodium alginate (PEG\/SA) hydrogel nanocomposite, evaluating their effects on the biofilm\u2010forming ability of <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> both in\u00a0vivo and in\u00a0vitro. ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs were biosynthesized using <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>Citrus aurantifolia<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> (<jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>C. aurantifolia<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content>) extract and incorporated into the PEG\/SA hydrogel beads through a sol\u2013gel process. The formation of ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs and the PEG\/SA\/ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs hydrogel nanocomposite was confirmed through diverse analyzes, including UV\u2013visible spectroscopy, particle size measurement, morphology examination, spectral analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and hemolysis studies. The average particle size of the ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs was approximately 26\u2009nm, while the PEG\/SA\/ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs hydrogel beads exhibited a highly porous, sheet\u2010like surface structure. In\u00a0vitro results demonstrated inhibition zones of 30 and 28\u2009mm for ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs and PEG\/SA\/ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs hydrogel beads against <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content>, respectively, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5\u2009mg\/mL. The growth curve analysis indicated a complete decline in <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> growth with an 87% reduction in biofilm formation when treated with PEG\/SA\/ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs hydrogel beads. SEM analysis revealed that <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> cells appeared lysed or crumpled, losing their characteristic coccal shape after exposure to the hydrogel beads. Additionally, SEM images confirmed the effective prevention of <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> attachment to teeth when encapsulated with PEG\/SA\/ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs hydrogel, altering the morphology of mature biofilms that developed on the teeth after treatment. Finally, the incorporation of biosynthesized ZrO<jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub> NPs into PEG\/SA hydrogels demonstrates significant potential as an effective strategy for inhibiting <jats:styled-content style=\"fixed-case\"><jats:italic>S. mutans<\/jats:italic><\/jats:styled-content> biofilm formation and may serve as a promising topical agent for reducing dental caries. Further studies could explore the long\u2010term efficacy and potential clinical applications of this nanocomposite in oral health care.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/jemt.24860","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,23]],"date-time":"2025-03-23T06:13:25Z","timestamp":1742710405000},"page":"2268-2284","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["Construction and Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol\/Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Loaded With Zirconia Nanoparticles: Potential Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Agent to Inhibit Dental Caries In\u00a0Vitro and In\u00a0Vivo"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"88","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9705-9249","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Layth L.","family":"Hamid","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Biology Department, College of Science University of Anbar  Ramadi Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Roqaya S.","family":"Zakir","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Biology Department, College of Science University of Anbar  Ramadi Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Noha M.","family":"Abdel Rahman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Biology Department, College of Science University of Anbar  Ramadi Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rosol H.","family":"Idrahim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Biology Department, College of Science University of Anbar  Ramadi Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Suha M.","family":"Abdel Rahman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Biology Department, College of Science University of Anbar  Ramadi Iraq"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_9_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.molstruc.2024.137901"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_9_3_1","first-page":"224","article-title":"Biosynthesis of Zirconium Dioxide Nanoparticles by Streptomyces Sp. HC1: Characterization and Bioactivity","volume":"16","author":"A\u011f\u00e7eli G. K.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Erzincan University Journal of Science and Technology"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_9_4_1","first-page":"137","article-title":"A Critical Review on the Synthesis of Natural Sodium Alginate Based Composite Materials: An Innovative Biological Polymer for Biomedical Delivery Applications","volume":"9","author":"Ahmad A.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Pro"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jare.2013.07.006"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12668-020-00774-6"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nanoso.2024.101245"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nanoso.2024.101163"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.onano.2024.100213"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00784-024-05631-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.inoche.2021.108507"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/0255-0857.148402"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics12040298"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.33263\/BRIAC121.074082"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00449-022-02776-y"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enmm.2024.100988"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/jisppd.jisppd_17_24"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1208\/pt040212"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acsanm.0c01586"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00784-020-03604-x"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nano12030471"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2020\/8882930"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10856-017-5918-3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnano.2021.739286"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.identj.2022.01.005"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0277275"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.micromeso.2019.06.002"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12088-024-01190-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/la301432a"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.micpath.2017.06.039"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5455\/jabet.2022.d115"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/antibiotics7030052"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.micres.2023.127526"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matchemphys.2021.125456"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s40883-021-00207-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.kjs.2024.100212"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00289-024-05505-5"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10971-024-06541-3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10876-024-02643-8"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.molstruc.2024.138983"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matchemphys.2024.129507"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.onano.2024.100212"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.xphs.2021.12.024"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2023.1267389"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2021\/4743411"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tim.2020.03.016"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jddst.2021.102914"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jemt.24650"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.micpath.2018.08.060"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_2_9_50_1","first-page":"1421","article-title":"Effect of Process Parameters of UV\u2010Assisted Gas\u2010Phase Cleaning on the Removal of PEG (Polyethyleneglycol) From a Si Substrate","volume":"49","author":"Kwon S. K.","year":"2006","journal-title":"Journal\u2010Korean Physical Society"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.201302434"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2023.1192955"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s11671-019-3005-z"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_54_1","volume-title":"The Role of Nucleotide Metabolites on the Biology of Dental Plaque","author":"Lou Kou M. S.","year":"2021"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4014\/jmb.2010.10021"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10854-020-04242-5"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_57_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10971-018-4827-3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_58_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msec.2019.110319"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_59_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/c3bm00167a"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_60_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10971-015-3881-3"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11947-021-02727-7"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/17435390.2011.626532"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mtcomm.2019.100701"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_64_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/antibiotics12020328"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_65_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.33804\/pp.008.01.5073"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_66_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels8090568"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_67_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-03202-1"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_68_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nano11123446"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_69_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.inoche.2022.109978"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_70_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1049\/iet-nbt.2018.5029"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_71_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s13213-010-0015-6"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_72_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1039\/C5RA14833B"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_73_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3889\/oamjms.2018.241"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_74_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12668\u2010024\u201001573\u2010z"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_75_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/polym14153023"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_76_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.crgsc.2024.100397"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_77_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00784-020-03613-w"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_78_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/gels9050430"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_79_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms11061614"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_80_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12903-024-04255-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_81_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms8101545"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_82_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/03639045.2022.2132260"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_83_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12951-017-0308-z"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_84_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules24061033"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_85_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.molliq.2020.113766"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_86_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fbioe.2023.1117647"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_87_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules28134932"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_88_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2023\/9924845"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_89_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/antibiotics10010003"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_90_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Green Synthesis of ZrO2 Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites for Biomedical and Environmental Applications: A Review","volume":"20","author":"Van Tran T.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environmental Chemistry Letters"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_91_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41522-020-0135-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_92_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mtbio.2021.100201"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_93_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.langmuir.8b01700"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_94_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.langmuir.4c01051"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_95_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1140\/epjp\/s13360-021-01606-6"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_96_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/21691401.2018.1492931"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_97_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.corsci.2021.109286"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_98_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msec.2020.111023"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_99_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nano10081511"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_100_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmrt.2020.12.012"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_101_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13568-021-01232-6"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_102_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.17796\/1053-4625-44.1.5"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_103_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7150\/thno.73181"}],"container-title":["Microscopy Research and Technique"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1002\/jemt.24860","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,16]],"date-time":"2025-10-16T16:24:31Z","timestamp":1760631871000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jemt.24860"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,21]]},"references-count":102,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,8]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1002\/jemt.24860"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/jemt.24860","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1059-910X","1097-0029"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1059-910X","type":"print"},{"value":"1097-0029","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,21]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-11-19","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-03-12","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-03-21","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}