A Study on the Antimicrobial Property of Mango Leaf Extract Against Streptococcus mutans in vitro - Abayon, Pauline Marie U.; Posadas, Valerie M.
Plants and plant products possess inhibitory activity against certain microorganisms. Different preparations of mango leaves in the Philippines are being used for its medicinal value. This study aims to determine whether or not aqueous mango leaf extract has antimicrobial property against Streptococcus mutans, a primary colonizer in the formation of dental caries. Pure 100% mango leaf extract, and 50% and 25% concentrations prepared by aqueous extraction were used against a microbial culture of S. mutans in a disc-diffusion assay. This study utilized an experimental method and a random allocation trial was employed. Four agar plates were prepared with five filter paper discs, each containing the different tests substances: 100% extract, 50% and 25%, sterile distilled water and standard antibiotic ampicillin. Presence of a zone of inhibiton 48 hours after incubation suggests an inhibitory activity against S. mutans. Mean values of the diameters measured were obtained. Mango leaf extract from aqueous extraction has no inhibitory effect against S. mutans in vitro.
Keywords: Streptococcus mutans