AN IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF FENNEL AND SESAME SEED EXTRACTS AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS

Dr. Jasmin Winnier and Dr. Indu Miriam Varkey*

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Dental Caries is an infectious disease associated with numerous micro-organisms, mainly Streptococcus mutans. In this era of preventive measures, a shift towards natural/herbal products is on the rise. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of sesame and fennel seed extract against Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: Aqueous extracts of fennel and sesame seeds were prepared. It was then subjected to microbial assays to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Zone of Inhibition against Streptococcus mutans. Chlorhexidine and distilled water were used as a positive and negative control. Results: 100% and 50% concentration of fennel extracts showed inhibition of growth of Streptococcus mutans. 100% of fennel seed extract showed no growth of S mutans on the agar plate, displaying a bactericidal effect. No concentration of sesame extract showed inhibition or bactericidal effect on S mutans. 100% fennel extract showed a Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) of 18 mm. Serial dilutions did not show significant Zone of inhibitions. For sesame extracts, no concentrations showed any ZOI. Conclusion: Fennel extracts show promising results as an antimicrobial agent to be used in clinical conditions. However, sesame seeds used in form of an essential oil mouth rinse as supported by existing literature would yield better results.

Keywords: Fennel, Sesame, Streptococcus mutans, MIC, MBC.