ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF LEMONGRASS OIL ON ORAL MICROORGANISMS: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Aim of the study was to know antibacterial effect of lemongrass oil on oral microorganisms : Streptococcus mutans, Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis . The disc diffusion test for the Streptococcus mutans , was carried out at various concentrations of lemongrass oil as neat, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1: 25. The punch hole diffusion technique was used for Prevotella intermedia and Porhyromonas gingivalis at various concentrations of lemongrass oil as n eat, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:25. The disc diffusion test for Streptococcus mutans showed the zone of inhibition of >40mm, >40mm, >20mm, 14mm,14mm at the concentration of neat, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 respectively. The punch hole diffusion technique used fo r Prevotella intermedia and Porhyromonas gingivalis showed Zone of inhibition of >30mm, >20mm, >10mm at the concentrations of neat, 1:2, 1:5, and 1:10 respectively. The study has demonstrated that essential oil of lemongrass has significant antimicrobial p otential against oral microorganisms S.mutans, P. intermedia and P. gingivalis .