Obtaining the essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum, identification of eugenol and its effect on Streptococcus mutans.

Abstract

Dental caries is a disease which affects the human oral cavity. Currently, the search for active principles of plants with antimicrobial effect seems promising for dental therapy. In this article the activity of the essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) was evaluated with an emphasis on its antimicrobial properties. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, characterized by thin layer chromatography and chemical tests. The main compound was identified in the oil obtained from the flower buds and its antibacterial activity against planktonic cells Streptcoccus mutans ATCC700611 was assessed by performing serial dilutions, from 15 up to 1000µg/mL, compared with 0.12% chlorhexidine and dimethylsulfoxide. MIC was also determined. Subsequently, UFC was analyzed and compared with CMR® Test Ivoclar Vivadent. The efficiency in obtaining the oil was 2.20%. By using the CCD technique, a fraction was revealed by UV light, corresponding to eugenol. It had a good response for triterpenoids and flavonoids. It showed greater antimicrobial activity at concentrations of 1000, 500 and 250µg/ml. The MIC and MBC of the oil was 125 to 250µg/mL, respectively. Eugenol was found as an active principle in the oil obtained. Currently, the impact of using plant extracts has favored the evaluation of alternative, effective and biocompatible antibacterial agents for the formulations of oral hygiene products applied to the prevention or treatment of oral diseases.

Keywords

• Eugenol
• Streptococcus mutans
• Syzygium aromaticum
• antimicrobial
• minimum inhibitory concentration MIC.