Philippine E-Journals

The Effectiveness of Moringa Juice in Inhibiting the Growth Of Streptococcus mutans: An In-Vitro Study

Joshualyn C. Delos Santos | Sam Darwin L. Delupio | Brenda M. Eleria | Pauline James V. Jara | June Kristy R. Tan

Discipline: Health, Dentistry

 

Abstract:

This study was conducted to prove the effectiveness of moringa juice in inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans in vitro. This was performed through an experimental type of research and was limited to an in vitro testing only. A juice was extractred from a pounded moringa leaves using a flour bag cloth. It was placed in a test tube and delivered to the Philippine National Collection of Microorganism, Biotech at UP Los Baňos for antimicrobial testing against Streptococcus mutans. A Disk Diffusion Method was performed in 5 Trypticase Cysteine agar plates. The cups were poured with phenol (positive control), distilled water (negative control) and moringa juice (sample) separately. The 5 plates were incubated and was measured and recorded after 18 hours.

 

The moringa juice appeared to have a 14.3 mm diameter of zone of inhibition. Phenol (positive control) on the other hand had the largest zone of inhibition with a diameter of 19.2 mm average while distilled water showed 0 mm. This result proved that moringa can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans and can be used as an added ingredient to toothpastes and mouthwashes.