Antibacterial effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tillandsia maculata (Bromeliaceae) on Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Introduction: Tillandsia maculata Ruíz & Pav. It has secondary metabolites that can affect the development of Streptococcus mutans, the main agent that causes dental caries. Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Tillandsia maculata Ruíz & Pav. on Streptococcus mutans. Methods: Experimental, in vitro and comparative work. An initial phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out. 56 Müller-Hinton agar plates (Merck®) were used, divided into 7 groups (n= 8): group I (deionized water), group II (70% ethanol), group III (0.12% chlorhexidine), group IV (Tillandsia maculata at 25%), group V (Tillandsia maculata at 50%), group VI (Tillandsia maculata at 75%) and group VII (Tillandsia maculata at 100%). The disk diffusion method detailed by Bauer and Kirby was used; The bacteria used was Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and the evaluations of the inhibition diameters were made after 24 hours, to indicate antibacterial impact. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed tannins, flavonoids, cardiotonic glycosides and lactones. The antibacterial effect of group VII (Tillandsia maculata at 100 %) was verified with 19.691 ± 0.0679 mm (99.06%), comparable with chlorhexidine at 0.12% (group III) 19.878 ± 0.0451 mm (100%) on Streptococcus mutans. Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract of Tillandsia maculata Ruíz & Pav. 100% exhibits in vitro antibacterial effect on Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 with measurements similar to 0.12% chlorhexidine.

Keywords

• agente antibacteriano
• caries dental
• clorhexidina
• tillandsia
• streptococcus mutans.