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652019 
Journal Article 
Bactericidal activity of phosphoric acid, citric acid, and EDTA solutions against Enterococcus faecalis 
Arias-Moliz, MT; Ferrer-Luque, CM; Espigares-Rodriguez, E; Liebana-Urena, J; Espigares-Garcia, M 
2008 
1 
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology
ISSN: 1079-2104
EISSN: 1528-395X 
106 
2 
e84-89 
English 
18554953 
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Enterococcus faecalis of phosphoric acid, citric acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solutions, and to determine the contact time required for 2.5% and 5% phosphoric acid, 10% and 25% citric acid, and 17% EDTA to exert bactericidal activity. STUDY DESIGN: Bactericidal activity was tested by means of the dilution neutralization method in accordance with BS-EN-1040:2005 norm, using contact times of 0.5 to 60 minutes. RESULTS: The MBCs of citric and phosphoric acid were 20% and 2.5%, respectively. EDTA solution lacks bactericidal activity, even after 60 minutes of contact. The 2.5% and 5% phosphoric acid solutions required 5- and 3-minute contact times, and the 10% and 25% citric acid solutions required 10- and 3-minute contact times, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphoric acid revealed bactericidal activity against E. faecalis and required less time than citric acid to exert its activity. 
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology; Chelating Agents/administration & dosage/pharmacology; Citric Acid/administration & dosage/*pharmacology; Edetic Acid/administration & dosage/*pharmacology; Enterococcus faecalis/*drug effects; Humans; Materials Testing; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phosphoric Acids/administration & dosage/*pharmacology; Root Canal Irrigants/administration & dosage/*pharmacology; Time Factors