Comparative Effectiveness of Angsana Latex (Pterocarpus indiscus) and Chlorhexidine 0.2 Against Growth of Streptococcus mutans

摘要

The aim of this research was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of angsana latex (P. indiscus) and chlorhexidine 0.2% against growth of S. mutans. This research was a laboratory experiment (true experimental), with a post-test only completely randomized design, consisting of four treatments: angsana latex 40% (w/v), angsana latex 80% (w/v) positive control (chlorhexidine 0.2%), and negative control (distilled water). Each treatment was replicated six times. The bactericidal effect of the inhibition zone that formed on Muller-Hinton media was rated. Result: One-way analysis of variance showed that the inhibition zones were significantly different; the angsana latex 80% (w/v) had a larger mean inhibiting zone than that of chlorhexidine 0.2% against S. mutans. These results indicate that angsana latex 80% (w/v) had a greater bactericidal effect than that of chlorhexidine 0.2% against S. mutans.