Catalytic oxidation plays a crucial role in current chemical and pharmaceutical industries which is also a leading technology for green chemical processes. In Nature, the ubiquitous cytochrome P450 enzymes can catalyze a wide variety of oxidation reactions with high efficiency and selectivity. Many transition metal catalysts are designed as the biomimetic model of cytochrome P450 enzymes. In this work, series of metalloporphyrins and metallocorroles have been successfully synthesized to investigate and develop catalytic selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides. Manganese(III) porphyrin complexes (2) and manganese(III) corrole complexes (6) with iodobenzene diacetate [PhI(OAc)2] as a mild oxygen source exhibited remarkable catalytic activity toward selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under mild conditions. Conspicuous is the fact that readily soluble PhI(OAc)2 in the presence of a small amount of water is more efficient than the commonly used PhIO and other oxygen sources under identical conditions. It was found that the reactivity of manganese(III) porphyrin catalysts was greatly affected by axial ligand and the weakly binding chlorate gave the highest catalytic activity in the oxidation of sulfide. Both porphyrin-manganese and corrole-manganese catalysts catalyzed the highly selective oxidation of para-substituted thioanisoles with PhI(OAc)2 in the presence of a small amount of water. Complete conversion and of sulfide and excellent selectivities for sulfoxide were achieved within 120 min. We discovered that photo-disproportionation of a bis-porphyrin-diruthenium(IV)- μ-oxo dimer gave a porphyrin-ruthenium(III) species and a putative poprhyrinruthenium( V)-oxo species that can be detected and studied in real time using laser flash photolysis methods. As determined by its spectral and kinetic behavior, the same oxo transient was also formed by photolysis of a porphyrin-ruthenium(III) N-oxide adduct. Second-order rate constants for reactions with several substrates at 22 °C were determined; representative values of rate constants were kox = 6.6 × 103 M-1 s-1 for diphenylmethanol, kox = 2.5 × 103 M-1 s-1 for styrene, and kox = 1.8 × 103 M-1 s-1 for cyclohexene.

Fluorescent imaging technologies that offer new ways to visualise and quantify fluorescently labelled molecules are increasing, necessitating the development of fluorescent molecules that can efficiently and specifically label targets in vitro and in vivo. The first aim of this thesis was the study of human neutrophil elastase. Human neutrophil elastase is an important enzyme in the regulation of inflammation but if over expressed can become part of the cause of inflammation itself. To elucidate this dual function and have a greater understanding of this enzyme, an imaging probe for neutrophil elastase was designed. Firstly, the syntheses of fluorescently labelled three branched dendron core structures were optimised, and studied in neutrophils. The selected core structure was functionalised with an elastase specific peptide sequence and fluorescently labelled. The probe was specifically cleaved by neutrophil elastase in an enzymatic assay and in the presence of activated neutrophils (Chapter 1). Fluorescein and rhodamine are dyes that are readily available, are affordable and have convenient wavelengths for microscopy and flow cytometry. Carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) is a commonly used fluorescein derivative, widely used in cell proliferation assay. It is mainly used as a mixture of isomers and its synthesis is not reported. Herein a short and simple synthesis of the two individual isomers of carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester as well as the equivalent rhodamine variation (carboxytetraethylrhodamine N-succinimidyl ester) is reported (Chapter 2). The labelling properties of these probes were studied in proliferation assays on mouse and human T lymphocytes. Finally, the nuclear penetration of the dendron structure combined with nuclear localisation sequences (NLS) was investigated. Attachment of nuclear localisation sequences to the probe in the presence of fluorescein demonstrated successful entry into the nucleus in human alveolar adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) (Chapter 3).

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is a localised infection in the oropharynx region caused by Candida species, predominately C. albicans. It is commonly spread among immunocompromised patients and aggravated by hyposalivation or xerostomia. Current treatment is by systemic antifungals, which might be accompanied by gastrointestinal tract disorders, headache, allergic reactions and drug interactions or Candida becoming resistant to them. In the present work, the anti-candida activity of chlorhexidine diacetate (CHD) was tested as the drug of choice, it has no systemic side effects and microorganisms do not develop resistance against it. Thymol and farnesol were also tested individually and in combination with CHD to investigate a synergistic effect against Candida planktonic cells. The effects of CHD and thymol were investigated against C. albicans biofilm after two hours exposure by testing the metabolic stress, vacuolar activity and protein content. The results of the anti-Candida activity of CHD and thymol based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) were 2.5 and 5 μg/ml for the former and 125 and 250 μg/ml for the later. Farnesol did not show an MIC and MBC at the investigated concentrations, however, it increased the MIC and MBC of CHD to 5 and 40 μg/ml and of thymol to 250 and >250 μg/ml, respectively. The antibiofilm activity of CHD and thymol was concentration dependent and CHD was more potent than thymol. A concentration of 20 μg/ml and 2 hours treatment of Candida biofilm grown for 24 hours showed an 85% decrease in oxidative stress, 78% and 60% loss of vacuolar activity and protein content, respectively. The combination of both drugs showed a limited increase in the activity. The cytotoxic effects of CHD and thymol were tested on human embryo kidney epithelial cell line (HEK 293); the metabolic stress, lysosomal activity and protein content were tested. The cytotoxic effects were also concentration dependent and the combination have increased the cytotoxicity. A concentration of 20 μg/ml and 2 hours treatment showed a 40% decrease in oxidative stress and neither the lysosomal activity nor protein content of HEK 293 cells was affected by the treatment Finally, a mucoadhesive hydrogel buccal tablets for the controlled release of CHD were designed and prepared to increase the residence time of an effective concentration of CHD in the oral cavity for two hours. They were prepared using Poloxamer 407 (P407), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and either sorbitol, mannitol or xylitol at different ratios. The tablets were investigated for their physical properties, ex vivo mucoadhesion, the rate of hydration, gelling efficiency using image analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and in vitro dissolution using Apparatus I and a novel method based on controlled flow rate to mimic salivary drug delivery in the oral cavity. Based on the antibiofilm activity and the cytotoxic effect of CHD a concentration of 20 μg/mL was chosen to be released from the tablets to maintain both efficacy and safety. Accordingly, to maintain this concentration the final formulations were prepared with a 2.5 mg dose of CHD. Tablets analysis showed no chemical interaction with the excipient based on DSC, FTIR and XRD. Furthermore, a novel dissolution method was developed based on a constant flow rate of the dissolution media to mimic oral salivary flow. By comparing CHD release using App I and the flow rate method it was shown that hydrogel-forming tablets successfully controlled the release of CHD regardless of the volume of the dissolution media with approximately 90% release and an average release concentration of 19 μg/ml and 1 ml/min flow rate. This making it a potential candidate for future application for treatment of candidiasis in all types of patients.

Control of the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) meats is a major concern in the food industry. The objective of this study was to compare the growth of L. monocytogenes on refrigerated RTE meats containing sodium levulinate (4-oxopentanoic acid, a five carbon organic acid with GRAS status), sodium lactate, or a combination of sodium lactate and sodium diacetate. Turkey roll and bologna were prepared to contain (wt/wt) sodium lactate (2%); sodium lactate in combination with sodium diacetate (1.875% sodium lactate, 0.125% sodium diacetate); sodium levulinate (1, 2, or 3%); or no antilisterial additive. Samples were sliced, inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail (102 to 103 CFU/cm2) of L. monocytogenes, vacuum packaged, and stored at 2°C for 0-12 weeks. Triplicate packages of each treatment were analyzed bi-weekly for growth of the pathogen. Bacterial counts exceeded 105 CFU/cm2 in controls after 4 weeks in turkey and over 106 CFU/cm2 after 8 weeks in bologna. In turkey, L. monocytogenes showed significant growth in samples containing sodium lactate after 6 weeks(>104 CFU/cm2) and after 8 weeks when used in combination with diacetate. Further, samples containing 1% sodium Jevulinate did not show significant growth of the pathogen for 10 weeks (~104 CFU/cm2), while those containing 2% and 3% levulinate inhibited growth for 12 weeks. In bologna, adding any antimicrobial inhibited growth for 12 weeks. Finally, Listeria-free samples of turkey roll and bologna, containing the various organic acid salts, were evaluated by members of consumer taste panels. Statistical analysis (ANOV A) showed that there were no differences in overall liking of samples of turkey roll (p = 0.19) or bologna (p = 0.42). In turkey, sodium levulinate was more effective at preventing growth of L. monocytogenes, while in bologna it was as effective as the current industry standards lactate and diacetate. Addition of levulinate did not alter the sensory acceptability of either product

No description available.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vacuum packaging and 100% CO₂ with and without sodium lactate (0%, 2.4%, 4.8%), sodium acetate (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%), and sodium diacetate (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%) on the inhibition of L. monocytogenes on turkey frankfurters. After 4 weeks at 4°C, the counts of L. monocytogenes did not increase in any treatment, including the control. The use of sodium lactate (4.8%), sodium acetate (0.5%), and sodium diacetate (0.5%) provided approximately a 0.5 log10 CFU/g decrease when compared to the control; however, there was not a significant (P > 0.05) difference between the control and the samples using sodium acetate (0.25%), sodium diacetate (0.25%), or sodium lactate (2.4%). There was also no significant difference between the samples packaged in 100% CO₂ or under vacuum (P > 0.05). After 4 weeks at 10°C, growth of L. monocytogenes was approximately 1-1.5 log lower on the frankfurters packaged in 100% CO₂ than those packaged in a vacuum atmosphere (P £ 0.001). Sodium acetate (0.5%) and sodium lactate (2.4%) in combination with a high CO₂ atmosphere prevented any increase in L. monocytogenes numbers for up to 4 weeks at 10°C. The use of sodium lactate (4.8%) and sodium diacetate (0.5%) in combination with a high CO₂ atmosphere resulted in a decrease in numbers of L. monocytogenes on the frankfurters by ~0.5 log (P £ 0.001). Strict temperature control is needed to prevent the growth of L. monocytogenes. A high CO₂ atmosphere in combination with antimicrobials may assist in keeping the numbers of the organism in the food low in the case of product contamination and temperature abuse. / Master of Science

Highly reactive transition metal-oxo intermediates are important active oxidant involved in numerous enzymes such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenases as well as in many useful metal-catalyzed oxidations. Many transition metal catalysts are designed for biomimetic studies of the predominant oxidation catalysts in Nature, the cytochrome P450 enzymes. In this work, a series of metalloporphyrin and metallocorrole complexes have been successfully synthesized and spectroscopically characterized by UV-vis, GCMS and 1H-NMR. The utilization of these complexes as catalysts for selective oxidation of sulfides and photocatalytic aerobic oxidations of activated hydrocarbons were investigated. Ruthenium(II) porphyrin complexes (2) and iron(III) corrole complexes (4) with iodobenzene diacetate [PhI(OAc)2] as a mild and excellent oxygen source efficiently catalyzed sulfides to sulfoxides under mild conditions. Ruthenium porphyrins (2) catalyzed the highly selective oxidation of para-substituted thioanisoles and allylic sulfides with PhI(OAc)2 in the presence of visible light. Over 95% conversion and 100% selectivity were achieved within 12 h. Results from competitive catalytic oxidations and spectra studies of the reaction of complexes (2) with PhI(OAc)2 in the absence of organic sulfide showed that the low-reactivity ruthenium(IV)-oxo intermediates (9) are most likely to be the active oxidant in the sulfoxidation reactions. An outstanding method for the highly selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides was developed by using iron(III) corroles (4) and PhI(OAc)2 as mild oxygen source. Allylic thioanisoles and hydroxy sulfides could be successfully oxidized with good conversions and excellent selectivities within short time period. A significant accelerating effect on the rate of sulfoxidation reactions by small amount of water was noticed and will be understood by more studies. Fluorinated diiron(IV) μ-oxo biscorrole complex (5b) catalyzes alkenes and activated hydrocarbons using atmospheric oxygen and visible light (sunlight) with up to 1200 TONs. The observed photocatalytic oxidation is ascribed to a photodisproportionation mechanism to afford a highly reactive corrole-iron(V)-oxo species that can be directly observed by laser flash photolysis methods. It is noteworthy that the use of visible light (solar light) for activation of atmospheric oxygen without the consumption of a reducing agent in aforementioned photocatalysis is particularly relevant to realizing innovative and economically advantageous processes for conversion of hydrocarbons into oxygenates.

The sausage is a product of high consumption, but due to its manufacturing process technology, it becomes susceptible to microbiological contamination. To ensure the life of the sausage and their microbiological safety, means of minimizing contamination levels, limiting or preventing microbial growth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to add antimicrobials in the formulation and post-heat treatment, and evaluate their effects on growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Listeria monocytogenes in sausages vacuum packed, stored at 5 º C during storage of 35 days. We evaluated four treatments: (T1-2.5% solution of sodium lactate in the formulation and immersion in 200 mg / l of nisin solution, T2 - 2.5% solution of sodium lactate in the formulation and immersion 200 mg / l of nisin solution followed by 2.5% solution of lactic acid, T3 - 2.5% solution of potassium lactate and sodium diacetate in formulation and immersion in 200 mg / l of nisin solution; T4-2.5% solution of potassium lactate and sodium diacetate in formulation and immersion in 200 mg / l of nisin solution followed by 2.5% lactic acid solution) and a control (no antimicrobial was added in formulation and post-thermal processing). There were microbiological (lactic acid bacteria, aerobic mesophilic, and Listeria monocytogenes) and physico-chemical (pH). At the end of 35 days storage there was a synergy between antimicrobials used in the formulation and post-heat treatment, reducing the total count of mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria, as compared to control, and the (T4), who used the formulating a mixture of potassium lactate and sodium diacetate, with the subsequent nisin followed by immersion in lactic acid more effective. The treatments that were used nisin (T1 e T3), after the heat treatment, were not effective in controlling aerobic mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria. Listeria monocytogenes was identified in all control samples during the 35 days of storage. Thus, the synergistic action of antibiotics added to the formulation, and post-thermal processing are obstacles that had a potential to control the growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria and especially able to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in vacuum-packed sausages and stored at 5 ° C for 35 days of storage. / A salsicha é um produto de elevado consumo, porém devido ao seu processo tecnológico de fabricação, torna-se susceptível a contaminação microbiológica. Garantir a vida útil da salsicha e a sua segurança microbiológica, implica em minimizar níveis de contaminação, limitando ou impedindo o crescimento microbiano. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi adicionar antimicrobianos na formulação e no pós-tratamento térmico, e avaliar os efeitos no desenvolvimento das bactérias aeróbias mesófilas, láticas e da Listeria monocytogenes em salsichas embaladas a vácuo, armazenadas a temperatura de 5ºC durante o período de armazenamento de 35 dias. Avaliaram-se quatro tratamentos: (T1- 2,5% de solução de lactato de sódio na formulação e imersão em 200 mg/l de solução de nisina;T2 - 2,5% de solução de lactato de sódio na formulação e imersão em 200 mg/l de solução de nisina seguida de 2,5% de solução de ácido lático;T3 - 2,5% de solução de lactato de potássio e diacetato de sódio na formulação e imersão em 200 mg/l de solução de nisina;T4- 2,5% de solução de lactato de potássio e diacetato de sódio na formulação e imersão em 200 mg/l de solução de nisina seguida de 2,5% de solução de ácido lático) e um controle (não foi adicionado antimicrobianos na formulação e no pós-processamento térmico).Realizaram-se análises microbiológicas (bactérias láticas, aeróbias mesófilas e Listeria monocytogenes) e físico-química (pH). Ao final de 35 dias de armazenamento verificou-se uma sinergia entre os antimicrobianos utilizados na formulação e no pós-tratamento térmico, reduzindo a contagem total de microrganismos mesófilos e bactérias láticas, em relação ao controle, sendo o (T4), que utilizou na formulação a mistura de lactato de potássio e diacetato de sódio, com a posterior imersão em nisina seguida de ácido lático o mais eficaz. Os tratamentos em que foram utilizados a nisina (T1 e T3), no pós-tratamento térmico, não foram eficazes no controle de bactérias aeróbias mesófilas e láticas. A Listeria monocytogenes, foi identificada em todas as amostras controle, durante os 35 dias de armazenamento. Porém, os antimicrobianos adicionados na formulação e no pós-tratamento térmico foram eficazes para prevenir o crescimento do patógeno, com exceção do T1. Desta forma a ação sinergistica de antimicrobianos adicionados na formulação, e no pós-processamento térmico são obstáculos que apresentaram um potencial no controle do crescimento de bactérias aeróbias mesófilas e bactérias láticas e principalmente capazes de inibir o crescimento de Listeria monocytogenes em salsichas embaladas a vácuo e armazenadas a 5ºC por 35 dias de armazenamento.

Objetivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da incorporação de diacetato de clorexidina (CDA), em diferentes concentrações e tempos de armazenamento, nas propriedades físicas e na atividade antibacteriana de resinas acrílicas, utilizadas na confecção de coroas e pontes provisórias. Métodos. Fase I: Foram confeccionados 150 corpos de prova retangulares (3,0 mm X 10 mm X 64 mm), de acordo com a norma ISO 1567 e 150 corpos de prova quadrados (10 mm X 10 mm X 2,0 mm), utilizando-se duas resinas acrílicas autopolimerizáveis, Duralay (Reliance Dental Mfg. Co.) e Dencor (Clássico). Os corpos de prova foram distribuídos em 30 grupos (n=10/grupo) de acordo com a concentração de CDA incorporada às resinas (p/p) (A) 0%, (B) 1%, (C) 2%, (D) 4%, (E) 5%, em função do tempo de armazenamento em água destilada, a 37C (T0 2h, T1 7 dias, T2 30 dias). Foram realizados os ensaios de microdureza Knoop, em microdurômetro Micromet 5104, Buehler (N), rugosidade superficial (Ra), em rugosímetro digital Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-201 (n=5) e resistência à flexão em três pontos (MPa), em uma máquina de ensaio universal EMIC MF 200 DL (n=5). Fase II: Adicionalmente, a atividade antibacteriana dos materiais sobre Streptococcus mutans foi determinada através da realização de testes de difusão em meio BHI, sendo para isso confeccionados 30 corpos de prova em forma de disco (12 mm X 3,0 mm) com as mesmas 5 concentrações (n=3/grupo). Os resultados foram tabulados e submetidos à análise estatística three-way ANOVA (Fase I) e two-way ANOVA (Fase II). Resultados. ANOVA mostrou que a adição de CDA não provocou alteração significativa na resistência à flexão dos materiais testados. A resistência à flexão é inversamente proporcional ao tempo para a resina Dencor e diretamente proporcional ao tempo para a resina Duralay. Houve aumento da microdureza com o acréscimo de CDA ao material Dencor com relação ao grupo controle, enquanto que no material Duralay a CDA não interferiu significativamente nesta propriedade. A rugosidade superficial aumentou significativamente (p<0,001) com o tempo e com o aumento da concentração de clorexidina na resina Dencor e não provocou alteração significativa em Duralay. Os testes de difusão em ágar demonstraram atividade antimicrobiana significativa (p<0,05) em todos os grupos, quando comparados ao grupo-controle. A inibição ao crescimento de Streptococcus mutans foi maior com o aumento da concentração desta substância. A resina Dencor apresentou maior halo de inibição do que a resina Duralay. Conclusões. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a incorporação de clorexidina aos materiais testados exibiu efeito antibacteriano contra S. mutans, sem contudo afetar de maneira crítica as propriedades físicas avaliadas. / Objectives. This study evaluated the effect of the incorporation of chlorhexidine diacetate salt hydrate (CDA) on the hardness, roughness and flexural strength (FS) of provisional crown and bridge acrylic resins. Methods. Step I: One hundred fifty specimens (3,0 mm X 10 mm X 64 mm) and one hundred fifty specimens (10 mm X 10 mm X 2,0 mm) of the autopolymerizing resins: Duralay (Reliance Dental Mfg. Co.) and Dencor (Clássico) were prepared, according to the ISO 1567 specification. The specimens were divided into 30 groups (n=10/group) according to the concentration of CDA (w/w): (A) 1%, (B) 2%, (C) 4%, (D) 5%, (E) 0% and the storage time in distilled water at 37C, after mixing (T0 2h, T1 7 days, T2 30 days). The surface hardness was assessed using a Knoop Hardness test (KHN), the surface roughness measurements (Ra) were made using a surface roughness tester Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-201 (n=5) and the FS were tested using a 3-point bending test (n=5). Step II: Additionally, antibacterial study was performed by observing the presence of inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans. For this test, 30 set disc-shaped specimens (12 mm X 3 mm) were prepared with the same 5 concentrations of chlorhexidine (n=3/group). Results. ANOVA showed that the addition of CDA had not a significantly lower effect on flexural strength of the tested materials. The flexural strength is inversely proportional to the time for Dencor and directly proportional for Duralay. There was a decrease of microhardness with the increase of CDA concentration on Dencor samples in relation to the control group, whereas the addition of CDA did not interfere in this property for Duralay. Surface roughness significantly increased (p<0,001) over time and increasing concentration of CDA for Dencor and did not cause significant change in Duralay. The agar diffusion test showed that all the tested groups had significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans, compared to the control group (p<0,05) and there were no difference between the resins. Increasing concentration of the substance produced greater inhibition. Conclusions. The results of this study suggested that the incorporation of CDA to the materials tested exhibited antibacterial effects against S. mutans, without compromising its physical properties.

Objetivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da incorporação de diacetato de clorexidina (CDA), em diferentes concentrações e tempos de armazenamento, nas propriedades físicas e na atividade antibacteriana de resinas acrílicas, utilizadas na confecção de coroas e pontes provisórias. Métodos. Fase I: Foram confeccionados 150 corpos de prova retangulares (3,0 mm X 10 mm X 64 mm), de acordo com a norma ISO 1567 e 150 corpos de prova quadrados (10 mm X 10 mm X 2,0 mm), utilizando-se duas resinas acrílicas autopolimerizáveis, Duralay (Reliance Dental Mfg. Co.) e Dencor (Clássico). Os corpos de prova foram distribuídos em 30 grupos (n=10/grupo) de acordo com a concentração de CDA incorporada às resinas (p/p) (A) 0%, (B) 1%, (C) 2%, (D) 4%, (E) 5%, em função do tempo de armazenamento em água destilada, a 37C (T0 2h, T1 7 dias, T2 30 dias). Foram realizados os ensaios de microdureza Knoop, em microdurômetro Micromet 5104, Buehler (N), rugosidade superficial (Ra), em rugosímetro digital Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-201 (n=5) e resistência à flexão em três pontos (MPa), em uma máquina de ensaio universal EMIC MF 200 DL (n=5). Fase II: Adicionalmente, a atividade antibacteriana dos materiais sobre Streptococcus mutans foi determinada através da realização de testes de difusão em meio BHI, sendo para isso confeccionados 30 corpos de prova em forma de disco (12 mm X 3,0 mm) com as mesmas 5 concentrações (n=3/grupo). Os resultados foram tabulados e submetidos à análise estatística three-way ANOVA (Fase I) e two-way ANOVA (Fase II). Resultados. ANOVA mostrou que a adição de CDA não provocou alteração significativa na resistência à flexão dos materiais testados. A resistência à flexão é inversamente proporcional ao tempo para a resina Dencor e diretamente proporcional ao tempo para a resina Duralay. Houve aumento da microdureza com o acréscimo de CDA ao material Dencor com relação ao grupo controle, enquanto que no material Duralay a CDA não interferiu significativamente nesta propriedade. A rugosidade superficial aumentou significativamente (p<0,001) com o tempo e com o aumento da concentração de clorexidina na resina Dencor e não provocou alteração significativa em Duralay. Os testes de difusão em ágar demonstraram atividade antimicrobiana significativa (p<0,05) em todos os grupos, quando comparados ao grupo-controle. A inibição ao crescimento de Streptococcus mutans foi maior com o aumento da concentração desta substância. A resina Dencor apresentou maior halo de inibição do que a resina Duralay. Conclusões. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a incorporação de clorexidina aos materiais testados exibiu efeito antibacteriano contra S. mutans, sem contudo afetar de maneira crítica as propriedades físicas avaliadas. / Objectives. This study evaluated the effect of the incorporation of chlorhexidine diacetate salt hydrate (CDA) on the hardness, roughness and flexural strength (FS) of provisional crown and bridge acrylic resins. Methods. Step I: One hundred fifty specimens (3,0 mm X 10 mm X 64 mm) and one hundred fifty specimens (10 mm X 10 mm X 2,0 mm) of the autopolymerizing resins: Duralay (Reliance Dental Mfg. Co.) and Dencor (Clássico) were prepared, according to the ISO 1567 specification. The specimens were divided into 30 groups (n=10/group) according to the concentration of CDA (w/w): (A) 1%, (B) 2%, (C) 4%, (D) 5%, (E) 0% and the storage time in distilled water at 37C, after mixing (T0 2h, T1 7 days, T2 30 days). The surface hardness was assessed using a Knoop Hardness test (KHN), the surface roughness measurements (Ra) were made using a surface roughness tester Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-201 (n=5) and the FS were tested using a 3-point bending test (n=5). Step II: Additionally, antibacterial study was performed by observing the presence of inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans. For this test, 30 set disc-shaped specimens (12 mm X 3 mm) were prepared with the same 5 concentrations of chlorhexidine (n=3/group). Results. ANOVA showed that the addition of CDA had not a significantly lower effect on flexural strength of the tested materials. The flexural strength is inversely proportional to the time for Dencor and directly proportional for Duralay. There was a decrease of microhardness with the increase of CDA concentration on Dencor samples in relation to the control group, whereas the addition of CDA did not interfere in this property for Duralay. Surface roughness significantly increased (p<0,001) over time and increasing concentration of CDA for Dencor and did not cause significant change in Duralay. The agar diffusion test showed that all the tested groups had significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans, compared to the control group (p<0,05) and there were no difference between the resins. Increasing concentration of the substance produced greater inhibition. Conclusions. The results of this study suggested that the incorporation of CDA to the materials tested exhibited antibacterial effects against S. mutans, without compromising its physical properties.