ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile and to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of stem bark of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels against oral microorganisms. The phytochemical profile of the extract was traced through a quantitative spectrophotometric determination in order to check the tannin, flavonoids, saponins, and polyphenols content. The antimicrobial activity was determined through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the broth microdilution technique, using the following strains of microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans (25175), Streptococcus oralis (10557) and Candida albicans (10231). An appreciable amount of fitocontituintes was observed, particularly the tannin (100.58 ± 1.81). The extracts showed antimicrobial activity, inhibiting the growth of the strains under study, with this activity being more intense on the growth of C. albicans ( MIC = 250 mg / mL). On the other hand, the MICs of the Streptococcus were low. In face of the mentioned results, we can conclude that the phytochemical profile was traced and that, among the tested microorganisms, the ethanol extract of S. cumini bark showed strong potential to inhibit the growth of C. albicans and weak inhibition against the Streptococcus tested. This study suggests that more research should be done by proceeding with the bioprospecting, through experimental tests with this plant`s species, aiming that in the future this substance can be used clinically for the treatment of oral candidiasis.
Keywords
Syzygium cumini; Phytochemistry; Streptococcus; Candida albicans