Uji daya hambat ekstrak daun serai (Cymbopogon citratus L) terhadap pertumbuhan Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Abstract: One of the plants that can be used in medical field is the lemongrass plant (Cymboogon citratus) that has lush and dense leaves. Lemongrass leaves contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Streptococcus mutans is known as one of the bacteria that can cause dental caries. An alternative way to eliminate Streptococcus mutans is by using lemongrass leaves. This study was aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of lemon grass leaves extract in inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus mutans and its degree of effectivenss referred to the inhibition zone. This was an experimental study using modified Kirby-bauer method with wells. The leaves of lemon grass were taken from Kalawat, North Minahasa then they were extracted with maceration method using 96% ethanol. Streptococcus mutans were obtained from the pure stock of Pharmacy Laboratory MIPA Sam Ratulangi University. The results showed that the total diameter of inhibition zone of lemon grass leaves extract against Streptococcus mutans was 19.8 mm with an average of 3.96 mm. Conclusion: Lemon grass extract was effective in inhibition of Streptococcus mutans with an average diameter of inhobotion zone of 3.96 mm.

Keywords: lemon grass leaves, Streptococcus mutans, inhibition zone

Abstrak: Salah satu tanaman yang dipercaya dapat dijadikan obat yaitu tanaman serai (Cymbopogon citratus) yang memiliki daun yang rimbun dan lebat. Daun serai mengandung alkaloid, saponin, tanin, polifenol dan flavonoid. Streptococcus mutans merupakan salah satu penyebab karies gigi. Cara alternatif untuk menanggulangi Streptococcus mutans yaitu dengan menggunakan daun serai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakah ekstrak daun serai memiliki daya hambat terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri Streptococcus mutans serta menilai besar daya hambat ekstrak daun serai terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri Streptococcus mutans dilihat dari diameter zona hambat. Jenis penelitian ialah eksperimental dengan metode modifikasi Kirby-bauer menggunakan sumuran. Sampel daun serai diambil dari daerah Kalawat Kabupaten Minahasa Utara kemudian diekstraksi dengan metode maserasi menggunakan pelarut etanol 96%. Bakteri Streptococcus mutans diambil dari stok bakteri murni Laboratorium Farmakologi MIPA Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan total diameter zona hambat ekstrak daun serai terhadap Streptococcus mutans sebesar 19,8 mm dengan nilai rerata sebesar 3,96 mm. Simpulan: Ekstrak daun serai memiliki daya hambat terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri Streptococcus mutans dengan rerata zona hambat sebesar 3,96 mm.

Kata kunci: daun serai (cymbopogon citratus L), streptococcus mutans, zona hambat