ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF MOUTHWASHES MADE FROM AJWA AND SUKARI DATE SEED EXTRACTS AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS

Abstrak

Maintaining oral and dental health is essential for preventing diseases that can damage tooth structures, one of which is dental caries. Dental caries is a disease affecting the hard tissues of the teeth, including enamel, dentin, and pulp, primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen that produces organic acids. One alternative approach for caries prevention is the use of herbal mouthwash derived from date seeds, particularly Ajwa and Sukari varieties, which contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins that exhibit antibacterial properties. This study aimed to compare the antibacterial effectiveness of Ajwa and Sukari date seed extract mouthwashes against the growth of Streptococcus mutans. This study was an in vitro laboratory experimental study employing a post-test only control group design. The samples were divided into ten groups with six replications each, consisting of a positive control (0,2% chlorhexidine), a negative control (distilled water), and Ajwa and Sukari date seed extract mouthwashes at concentrations of 3,25%, 6,5%, and 12,5%. The measured parameter was the diameter of the inhibition zone after 24 hours of incubation. The results demonstrated that all extract groups exhibited antibacterial activity, categorized as strong. The highest inhibition zone was observed in the 12,5% Ajwa date seed extract group. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed a statistically significant difference among the groups (p < 0,05). Furthermore, the Mann–Whitney test showed that Ajwa date seed extract was more effective than Sukari date seed extract at concentrations of 3,25% and 6,5% (p = 0,004), whereas no significant difference was found at the 12,5% concentration (p = 0,336). In conclusion, mouthwashes containing Ajwa and Sukari date seed extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, with Ajwa date seed extract showing superior effectiveness at concentrations of 3,25% and 6,5%.