PENGARUH JUMLAH DAUN REBUSAN SIRIH MERAH DAN DAUN REBUSAN SIRIH KUNING TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN BAKTERI Streptococcus mutans (Kajian in vitro)

Streptococcus mutans is one of the bacteria that causes dental caries. The proportion of this bacteria is the highest number in human�s dental plaque. Prevention of plaque formation can be done chemically by mouthwash containing antibacterial compounds. Red betel leaves (Piper crocatum) and yellow betel leaves (Piper betle L.) are known to have antibacterial properties and it has been used widely in population. This study is aimed to determine the effect of number of red and yellow betel leaves used in decoction towards the growth of Streptococcus mutans. The 25 and 35 leaves each of red betel and yellow betel were boiled up to 100oC. The leaves decoction effect to the growth of Streptococcus mutans was tested by dilution method in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar. Sterile aquades and clorhexidine gluconate 0,12% were sequentially used as negative and positive control. A pure cultur of Streptococcus mutans diluted in physiological saline with 108 CFU/ml consentration were used. The Streptococcus mutans colonies number formed after 24 hours incubation was examined and then analyzed statistically by One Way Anova. One Way Anova test result shows there was a significant effect of the two treatment groups were compared (p