GCMS ANALYSIS AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PIPER BETLE(LINN) LEAVES AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS

Piper betle (Linn), a member of family Piperaceae is an edible plant. The leaves of Piper betle have been traditionally used in India for prevention of oral diseases. In the present study, the antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans for aqueous and ethanol extract of Piper betle leaves was studied by agar cup diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts against Streptococcus mutans was detected by tube dilution method. GCMS[gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy] analysis of aqueous and ethanol extracts was carried out to detect the phytochemicals present in it. Both aqueous and ethanol extract inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Zone of inhibition of ethanol extract [20.6±1.12mm] was larger compared to aqueous extract [18.3±0.53].The MIC value for the aqueous and ethanol extract was 10mg/ml and 5mg/ml respectively. GCMS analysis revealed the presence of six compounds in each of the extract. The predominant compound in aqueous extract was 4 chromanol while phenol-2-methoxy-4(- 2propenyl) acetate was found in ethanol extract.   Key words-Piper betle; Dental caries; Streptococcus mutans; GCMS analysi