Soxhlet versus cold maceration: Which method gives better antimicrobial activity to licorice extract against Streptococcus mutans?

Abstract

Purpose: Licorice is called “grandfather of herbs” and is being used for wide various ailments since time immemorial. However, its use in dentistry has been recently. Soxhlet and Cold maceration are the two commonly employed methods for extraction of drug from raw products. But which of two is gives better antibacterial property to licorice root remains unanswered. Hence, the present study has been planned with an aim to compare antibacterial activity of licorice root extracts obtained from two methods (Soxhlet and cold maceration) against Streptococcus mutans. It is an in vitro study. Methodology: Licorice roots were authenticated from recognized taxonomist. They were washed, dried completely, and coarsely powdered. The weighed powder was mixed with ethanol (100 mg in 500 ml). Two such mixtures were made. One was used for cold maceration procedure and the other was used for Soxhlet method. Extracts so obtained were assessed for their minimum inhibitory concentration against S. mutans ATCC 25175 in triplicates using broth dilution and disc diffusion method. Extracts were also compared for their phytochemical components. Descriptive analysis and unpaired t-test were performed. Results: Cold maceration extract at concentration of 1.95 mg/ml and Soxhlet method at 3.906 mg/ml showed inhibition of S. mutans. Both of them possessed the same phytochemical components. Conclusion: Licorice root extract obtained through cold maceration had significantly better antimicrobial activity against S. mutans than licorice extract obtained through Soxhlet method. Cold maceration method is relatively simple and does not involve complex instruments and yet yields better extract.