IN VITRO CLOVE OIL ACTIVITY AGAINST PERIODONTOPATHIC BACTERIA By

Clove oil antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic (ATCC) bacteria was investigated "in vitro". Bacterial strains tested were: Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella melaninogenica, Pophyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucileatum. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the strains tested was determined using the method of broth dilution with the clove oil in serial concentrations. Results showed MIC of (4 µ g/ml) for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga gingivalis; and Fusobacterium nucleatum were (1 µ g/ml). Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis showed (2 µ g/ml). But (MIC) for Prevotella melaninogenica was 18 µ g/ml. Some superinfectant organisms were also tested: Cadida albicans susceptibility to clove oil was demonstrated at a concentration of (24 µ g/ml). The MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was (24 µ g/ml) but for Escherichia coli was (18 µ g/ml). All periodontal pathogens and superinfectants tested were susceptible to the clove oil. The positive results suggest that the clove oil should be further tested as an adjuvant to periodontal therapy