Antibacterial activity test of ethanolic extract of red ginger (Zigiber officinale var. Rubrum) against Streptococcus mutans bacteria

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans is bacteria that cause dental caries. S. mutans produces lactic acid. It causes demineralization of teeth. S. mutans can be inhibited with chloramphenicol, but long-term use of chloramphenicol causes several negative effects. Based on this situation, exploration of the antibacterial agent from natural sources is needed. One of these natural sources is red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubrum). The aims of this research are 1) to test antibacterial activity of various concentration ethanolic extract of red ginger against S. mutans bacteria, 2) to determinate which concentration is the most effective to inhibit S. mutans. Red ginger extracted by using maseration method with ethanol 70% solvent. Red ginger’s antibody activity was tested using liquid dilution method with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) as parameters. Concentrations of red ginger extract that has been used is 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and chloramphenicol with dosage 250µg/mL as positive control. The result of this research showed that ethanolic extract of red ginger has antibacterial activity against S. mutans, and the most effective concentration to inhibit the growth of S. mutans is 25%.