Ca (II)-EDTA shows antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic bacteria

Ethylenediamine-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid calcium (II) disodium salt (Ca (II)-EDTA) was investigated for its antibacterial activity against the periodontal pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Ca (II)-EDTA and its bactericidal activity. Ethylenediamine-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid calcium (II) disodium salt inhibited the growth of all the periodontopathic bacteria tested in broth. An MIC of 60 mM was the most effective against P. gingivalis. An adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay revealed that Ca (II)-EDTA showed bactericidal activity against the bacteria tested in a time-dependent manner. To determine its safety in mammalian cells, we investigated the viability of murine L929 cells subjected to Ca (II)-EDTA treatment. At 75 mM, 93% ± 0.13% of the cells survived. These results indicate that Ca (II)-EDTA is a candidate chelating agent for prevention of infection by periodontopathic bacteria.