EEFECT OF "GOPEK" TEA INFUSUM ON MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI, IN VITRO

Objectives: Tea is a traditional drink, which is beneficial for health, one of its benefits is capability to prevent dental caries because it has active substance polyphenol. Methods: An extract of Black tea fermented tea leaves of Camellia sinensis and its chromatographically isolated polyphenol compound was examined for in vitro to inhibit the bacterial growth by determining the inhibitory zone (agar diffusion method), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The microorganisms tested were : Streptococcus mutans Ing-Britt, Streptococcus mutans KPSK2, Streptococcus mutans LM and Streptococcus sobrinus B13. The statistical analysis was done by in a descriptive. Results: The Black tea polyphenol was the most effective against :Streptococcus mutans Ing-Britt (Inhibition zone 4.50 mm; MIC 6.25%/ml ;MBC 50%/ml); Streptococcus mutans KPSK2 (Inhibition zone 1.40 mm ;MIC 6.25%/ml ;MBC 50%/ml); Streptococcus mutans LM7(Inhibition zone 4.30 mm ;MIC 62.25%/ml ;MBC 50%/ml) and Streptococcus sobrinus B13(Inhibition zone; 4.50 mm ;MIC 6.25%/ml ;MBC 50%/ml) tea polyphenol.Conclusion: This study shows that Black tea polyphenol has anti microbial activity against mutans streptococci, in vitro.