Abstrakt: |
Bactericidal activity was found in the 50% ethanol (v/v) extract of Streblus asperleaves. The extract possessed a selective bactericidal activity towards Streptococcus, especially to Streptococcus mutanswhich has been shown to be strongly associated with dental caries. The extract had no effect on cultures of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureusand Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcuscoagulase positive, Staphylococcuscoagulase negative, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia pseudomealleiand Candida albicans. The minimum growth inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of S. asperextract against 108CFU/mL of S. mutanswas 2 mg/mL. The active compound is partially polar, partially heat labile, precipitated by 80% ammonium sulphate, and possesses a molecular weight larger than 10 000 Da. The potential for using S. asperextract as a natural product for controlling dental caries is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |