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 =