Antimicrobial Activity of Phoenix dactylifera Infusum on Mutans Streptococci invitro

Phoenix dactylifera of date palm is known as a healthy food since a long time ago, because it has a high tannin content and are used medicinally proposed. One of the benefits is the capability to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria .Objectives: The aim of this research is determining the sensitivity of infusum Phoenix dactylifera of date palm on mutans streptococci, invitro. Methods: Infusum is the product of the process of steeping Phoenix dactylifera of date palm for extraction of its medicinal principles. The effect of infusum Phoenix dactylifera was examined by measuring the inhibition zone (agar diffusion method), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The microorganisms tested were composed 6 strains of Streptococcus mutans isolated from schoolchildren's dental plaque in Jakarta Indonesia labeled as Streptococcus mutans1, Streptococcus mutans2, Streptococcus mutans3, Streptococcus mutans4,Streptococcus mutans5, Streptococcus mutans6. Data obtained was done in a descriptive method.Results:showed that Phoenix dactylifera Infusum had effect on all of mutans of Streptococcus mutans1(inhibition zone 0.25 mm; MIC 22.5% /ml ,MBC 90% /ml); Streptococcus mutans2 (inhibition zone 1.00 mm; MIC 22.5%/ml ,MBC 90%/ml); Streptococcus mutans3(inhibition zone 1.00mm; MIC 22.5%/ml ,MBC 90%/ml); Streptococcus mutans4(inhibition zone 1.80 mm; MIC 22.5%/ml ,MBC 90%/ml); Streptococcus mutans5(inhibition zone 2.00 mm; MIC 22.5%/ml ,MBC 90%/ml), Streptococcus mutans6(inhibition zone 1.60 mm; MIC 22.5%/ml ,MBC 90%/ml) and their MBC value was three times bigger than MIC. Conclusion: We concluded that Phoenix dactylifera Infusum has anti microbial activity against mutans streptococci invitro. Hence, it may have potential anti-caries property.