Study of antibacterial activity against Streptococcus Mutans of lemon seed extract

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans is implicated bacteria which has been considered a primary microorganism causing dental caries in humans. Scientifically proven, mentioned bacteria is an antibiotic resistant at various degrees and the high dosage treatments of S. mutans are usually reoccurred and originate side effects. Efforts, there have been increasingly developed aim in search for potential efficient treatment using antimicrobial agents from natural plant sources. Among variety of plants, seeds of citrus plants have been taken noticed to the basis of therapeutic aspects as they are beneficial sources of powerful natural antioxidants as well as potent herbal antimicrobial agents. In accordingly, a successful isolation and extraction of phytochemicals from lemon seed would be medicinally advantageous. In this analysis, the antimicrobial efficacy of lemon seed extract against the growth and development of S. mutans was thoroughly investigated; specifically, in a comparative way with antibiotics such as Penicillin. Different concentrations and ratios of the aqueous extract of lemon seed were well prepared and poured into both medium broth and the agar plates with certain amount of inoculum, of which ranging from 5% to 20% to determine the Minimum Inhibitory concentration(MIC), the Minimum Bacterial Concentration (MBC), and the zone of growth inhibition against S. mutans. The obtained results of this study have indicated that the extract of lemon seed showed not only the statistically significant reduction of S. mutans colony formation at 8% in agar test and 15% at broth test with the ratio of 1:4 v/v but also the improved medicinal advantages of aqueous extracts of lemon seed usage against the growth and development of 9. In summary, the lemon seed extract could effectively inhibit the growth of S. mutans at the selectively applied concentration. Key words: lemon seed extracts, streptococcus mutans, antibacterial activity