Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak Etanol Suruhan (Peperomia Pellucida (L.) Kunth) terhadap Pertumbuhan Bakteri Streptococcus mutans Penyebab Karies Gigi serta Pemanfaatannya sebagai Buku Ilmiah Populer

Abstract

Dental caries is an infectious disease that attacks the hard tissues of the teeth. The main cause of dental caries is Streptococcus mutans which is asiduric and acidogenic. The suruhan plant (Peperomia pellucida) has the potential to prevent dental caries due to the presence of bioactive content that can act as an antibacterial. This study aims to analyze the bioactive compounds of suruhan ethanol extract and its antibacterial activity against the growth of Streptococcus mutans. A product will also be developed in the form of a popular scientific book. Bioactive compounds were analyzed through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial activity was tested through the inhibition test with the well diffusion method, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination test with the microdilution method, and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) determination test with the streak plate method. The results of GC-MS analysis showed the presence of bioactives that act as antibacterials, namely alcohol, organic acids (acetic acid, peracetic acid, malonic acid, levulinic acid, fatty acid, myristic acid, benzoic acid), terpenoids, phenolics (phenols, flavonoids), nitrogen-containing compounds (alkaloids), sulfur-containing compounds (organosulfur), esters, ketones, and benzofurans. The inhibition test shows the presence of a zone of inhibition of bacterial growth characterized by a clear zone. The mean inhibition zone of 10% suruhan ethanol extract was 2.75 mm, 20% extract was 4 mm, 30% extract was 5.38 mm, 40% extract was 6.88 mm, and 50% extract was 8.25 mm. The MIC of suruhan ethanol extract against the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria is 5%, while the MBC is 10%. Based on these results, it is known that suruhan ethanol extract has the potential as an alternative to prevent dental caries caused by Streptococcus mutans. Popular scientific books are very feasible to be used as public reading books with an average validation value of 86.65%.