Open Journal of Dentistry and Oral Medicine(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 1(2), pp. 19 - 24
DOI: 10.13189/ojdom.2013.010202
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Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Various Concentrations of Commercially Available Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum) Powder against Streptococcus Mutans

Gupta B ^1,*, Kumar VN ², Mallaiah S ^2
1 NIMS Dental College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
² Dr. Syamala Reddy Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT

Aim: To assess the antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) extract, obtained from commercially available Tulsi powder, against Streptococcus mutans. Setting and design: Experimental design, in vitro study, Lab setting. Materials and methods: Ethanolic extract of Tulsi was prepared by the cold extraction method. The extract was then diluted with an inert solvent, dimethyl formamide, to obtain 7 different concentrations (2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 8%). 0.2% chlorhexidine was used as a positive control and dimethyl formamide was used as a negative control. The extract, along with the controls, was then subjected to microbiological investigation to determine which concentration among the 7 different concentrations of the extract gave a wider inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans. The zones of inhibition were measured in millimetres using a vernier caliper. Results: At the 6% concentration of Tulsi extract, a zone of inhibition of 27 millimetres (mm) was obtained at a volume of 50 µl. This was the widest zone of inhibition observed among all the 7 different concentrations of Tulsi that were investigated. Conclusion: Tulsi extract demonstrated an antimicrobial property against Streptococcus mutans and can be used as a mouthwash. This could be further confirmed by in-vivo studies.

KEYWORDS
Antimicrobial activity, Ocimum Sanctum, Streptococcus mutans, tulsi extract

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Gupta B , Kumar VN , Mallaiah S , "Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Various Concentrations of Commercially Available Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum) Powder against Streptococcus Mutans," Open Journal of Dentistry and Oral Medicine(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 19 - 24, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/ojdom.2013.010202.

(b). APA Format:
Gupta B , Kumar VN , Mallaiah S (2013). Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Various Concentrations of Commercially Available Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum) Powder against Streptococcus Mutans. Open Journal of Dentistry and Oral Medicine(CEASE PUBLICATION), 1(2), 19 - 24. DOI: 10.13189/ojdom.2013.010202.