| dc.description.abstract | Currently, research has demonstrated progress in using natural materials with antibacterial properties as cavity cleansers. However, the effective lemongrass extract as an alternative cavity cleanser in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was not yet known. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial efficacy and differences between citronella extract at concentrations of 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, and 3.12% compared to 2% chlorhexidine digluconate against Staphylococcus aureus growth, for potential use as an alternative cavity cleanser. This laboratory experimental research employed a post-test-only control group design using Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 samples. A total of 600 grams of citronella extracted with 96% ethanol solvent, then diluted with DMSO to obtain 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, and 3.12%, replicated four times for each concentration. Antibacterial testing was performed using the dilution method by determining the MIC and MBC values. For each concentration, 1 ml was taken, with 0.1 ml bacterial suspension and 9 ml Mueller Hinton Broth (MHB), vortexed, incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and turbidity was compared with positive controls. Subsequently, subculture methods were used to determine MIC and MBC values. From each group, 10 μl was taken, plated on Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) media, and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, followed by bacterial colony counting. The Kruskal-Wallis test results showed that citronella extract at concentrations of 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, and 2% chlorhexidine digluconate demonstrated antibacterial effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus (p<0.05), with MIC at 6.25% and MBC at 50%. Mann-Whitney test results for concentrations of 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, and 3.12% showed significant differences in colony counts (p<0.05), while the 50% concentration compared to positive control showed no significant difference in colony counts (p=1.000; p>0.05). Citronella leaves at 50% concentration have the same effectiveness as 2% chlorhexidine digluconate. | en_US |
