Uji Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak Air Daun Pala (Myristica fragrans) terhadap Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Background: Streptpococcus mutans is the most common microorganism that grows in the oral cavity and plays a role in the early stages of dental caries. These bacteria are normal inhabitants of the oral cavity, but can turn into pathogens if the bacteria's living environment is favorable and the population increases. The growth of Streptococcus mutans must be inhibited by administering antibacterial agents. Nutmeg leaf are one part of the plant that has not been widely used. The compounds contained in nutmeg leaves are alkaloids, triterpenoids, tannins and flavonoids. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the characterizations of simplicia, phytochemical constituent, and to determine the antibacterial activity of water extract of nutmeg leaf (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) against Streptococcus mutans. Method: This research was conducted using the infundation method. Testing antibacterial activity using the agar diffusion method using paper discs with various concentrations. The effectiveness of amoxicillin was tested as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. Results: Characterization of simplicia obtained water content 7.33%, water soluble essence content 13.98%, ethanol soluble essence content 12.32%, total ash content 3.52%, acid insoluble ash content 0.44%. The groups of chemical compounds found in simplicia and water extract of nutmeg leaf are alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins. Test results found that the antibacterial activity of nutmeg leaves water extract had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10 mg/ml (6.86 mm) and had a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 200 mg/ml (10.50 mm) against Streptococcus mutans. Conclusion: Water extract of nutmeg leaf has quite active antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans.