NAZILA YUNISA. Antibacterial Activity Of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon
citratus (DC.) Stapf) Stem Extracts And Fraction Against Streptococcus
mutans. Under the guidance TJIPTASURASA and RETNO
WAHYUNINGRUM
Background: The biggest problem faced by residents of Indonesia as well as
in other developing countries in the field of dental and oral diseases are dental
hard tissue (caries dentine). One of the dominant bacterial species in the
mouth are Streptococcus mutans. Stem of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus
(DC.) Stapf) is a plant that has antibacterial activity. Secondary metabolites
found in the lemongrass expected to provide antibacterial activity against
S.mutans.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of ethanolic extract and
varying the concentration of the fraction of the ethanol extract of the
lemongrass stem against growth of S.mutans.
Methods: Extraction of lemongrass stems made by maceration method using
70% ethanol, followed by liquid-liquid fractionation process with n-hexane,
ethyl acetate and methanol solvents that can represent non-polar, semi-polar
and polar solvents. Extracts and fractions obtained tested antibacterial activity
using gelatine diffusion method with streptomycin as positive control and
DMSO as a negative control.
Result: The ethanol extract of lemongrass stems at a 10% concentration gave
inhibition zone of 23,96 mm. N-hexane fraction gave inhibition zone at
concentrations of 10% and 100% at 8,71 mm and 18,27 mm, while the
fraction of ethyl acetate and methanol fractions alike inhibition zone at a
concentration of 100% amounting to 10,94 mm and 16,40 mm.
Conclusion: Extract of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) stems
at a concentration of 10% has antibacterial activity against S.mutans. Fraction
of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol also has antibacterial activity against
S.mutans, but smaller than the antibacterial activity of ethanol extract of the
lemongrass stems.