The Inhibitory Ability of Cocoa Pod Husk Extract on Enterococcus faecalis Glucosyltransferase Enzyme Activity

Abstract

The presence of Enterococcus faecalis in root canal is considered as one of the factors causing root canal treatment failure since the bacteria are capable of producing glucosyltransferase enzymes that play a role in forming endodontic biofilms. Hence, the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. On the other hand, cocoa pod husk extract which is rich in chemical components especially flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, is thought to have an ability to inhibit Enterococcus faecalis glucosyltransferase enzyme activity. The aim of this research is to analyze the inhibitory ability of cocoa pod husk extract against E. faecalis glucosyltransferase enzyme activity. A total of 27 research samples were divided into three groups, namely, positive control (chlorhexidine gluconate 2%), negative control (aquades), and cocoa pod husk extract 3.12%. Next the enzymatic activity of each sample group was calculated based on the size of the fructose area read by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) expressed in percent (%) and then converted to μmol/mL fructose which was considered as 1 unit of glucosyltransferase enzyme activity. Subsequently, the data were analyzed statistically using Kruskal-Wallis test. The results of data analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences between groups of samples (p <0.05). Cocoa pod husk extract of 3.12% has inhibitory effect on E. faecalis glucosyltransferase enzyme activity. The use of cocoa pod husk extract meets the requirements and is proven useful as an irrigation agent in the treatment of root canals, because it contains antibacterial properties against E. faecalis.