PERBANDINGAN EFEK ANTIBAKTERI DARI JUS BELIMBING (Averrhoa carambola) TERHADAP Streptococcus mutans PADA WAKTU KONTAK DAN KONSENTRASI YANG BERBEDA

Abstract

Background : Dental caries is the most prevalent bacterial infections in human. The most potential microorganism that cause dental caries is Streptococcus mutans. One of the chemical substances that can inhibit the growth of this microorganism is polyphenol. The main polyphenolic component, Epicatechin, is an active ingredient that can be found in star fruits. Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal contact time of star fruit juice for Streptococcus mutans, in vitro. Method : This was an experimental study using the post test only control group design. The sample was star fruit juice (Averrhoa carambola). Samples were devided into experimental groups and control groups. Each experimental group were given different concentration of star fruit juice, from 100% (P1 group) and 50% (P2 group) with 30 seconds and 120 seconds of contact time for each concentration (P1-30, P1-120, P2-30 and P2-120 group). The control groups were a positive control, a negative control, and a sample control. The optimal combination of concentration-contact time pair was determined by observing the degree of solution transparencies visually of the bacteria-star fruit juice suspension. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square Test. Result : It was shown that for every replication of P1-30 group, P1-120 group and P2-30 group the solution was murky. As for the P2-120 group, the limpid solution was on the 3rd and 4th replication. The positive control was murky while the negative control and sample control were all limpid. The Chi-square test revealed insignificant differences between the P2-120 group and positive control group (P>0,05) while between the remain experimental group and positive control group, Chi-square test was undefined. Conclusions : Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) did not have bacteriostatic effect on every concentration-contact time pair used in this research. Keyword : Star fruit, Streptococcus mutans, antibacterial activity, contact time, concentration