Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Antimicrobial Activity Of Plant Extracts On Oral Bacteria That can Cause Life Threatening Diseases

Undergraduate #86
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Session: 1

Mikanna Adkins - Dillard University
Co-Author(s): Bernard Singleton, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA


Recent studies promotes the use of various natural products for multiple uses in the field of medicine compared to the use of toxic mouthwashes. Many mouthwashes have ingredients that can cause oral cancer and Leukemia. Oral health is essential to the quality of life. Dental procedures, oral infections, and when oral hygiene is poor, bacteremia can lead to endocarditis, stroke, pneumonia, and other systemic infections. The use of natural ingredients that have antimicrobial effects on oral bacteria may be the answer. The purpose of this study was to assess the antimicrobial effects of eight plant extracts, cranberry, garlic, ginger, tea tree oil, coconut milk, aloe vera, lemon and papaya on oral bacteria. The disc diffusion and the before and after oral mouthwash methods were used to determine the antimicrobial effects of the plant extracts on the oral bacteria. Samples of oral bacteria were swabbed onto Nutrient and Brain Heart Infusion agar plates. Discs were saturated with solutions that were made with fresh extracts from each of the plants and placed on the plates. The results of the tea tree oil and the garlic showed antimicrobial activity with respect to all tested plant extracts. The oral swab indicated fewer bacteria after the wash with tea tree oil and the garlic vs. before the wash. These type of studies will possibly lead to a more benign and safe mouthwash.This study warrants further research to examine other types of natural antimicrobial products and test additional subjects using the same plant products and media.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Dillard University LAMP Research Mentoring Program

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bernard Singleton, bsingleton@dillard.edu

Role: The part of the research that I did was the literature review and the lab work. Also the assisted in the development of the presentation.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.