Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of lemon fruit juice, mondia whitei ethanolic extract, and their combination against Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Due to the ability to synthesize extracellular polysaccharides that facilitate the formation of plaque biofilm on the teeth enamel which is vital for carcinogenicity, Streptococcus mutans has been implicated as the major causative agent of dental caries. Although the occurrence of dental caries in Uganda is on the rise, little or no attention has been paid to promoting oral healthcare in the country. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the citrus lemon fruit extracts and Mondia whitei crude ethanolic extract root bark as candidate alternative therapeutic agents for streptococcus mutans the causative agent of dental caries. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins in the crude Mondia whiteiethanolic extract and lemon extracts, while glycosides were detected only in juices obtained from the lemon. The zones of inhibition of Mondia whitei crude ethanolic extract, citrus lemon juice, citrus lemon pulp juice, and the cocktail were 13.67±0.33, 18.67±0.33, 18.33±0.67 and 18.00±0.58 respectively, The lemonjuice and lemon pulp juice exhibited significantly lower MIC of 0.195 mg/ml, and 0.391mg/ml respectively. The efficacy of the extract/juices increased with an increase in the concentration.