Antibacterial ability of green okra fruit (Abelmoschus esculentus) extract at concentrations of 12.5-100% against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Introduction: The common bacteria found in infected root canals are Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (20%). S. aureus infection can spread to the periapical tissues causing periapical lesions. Pulp necrosis requires root canal treatment. One of the irrigants used in root canal treatment is 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid  (17% EDTA). This material can soften the root canal dentine making it easier to prepare because it can dissolve the inorganic material of smear layer. The disadvantage of 17% EDTA is low antibacterial power, so an alternative irrigation material is needed. Irrigants should ideally be antibacterial. The green okra fruit extract contains antibacterial properties such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. This study aims to determine the antibacterial ability of green okra fruit extract concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100% against S. aureus. Methods: This type of research was an in-vitro laboratory experiment with a posttest-only control group design. The antibacterial test used the disc diffusion method consisted of 6 groups, i.e, green okra fruit extract concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 100%, 17% EDTA (positive control), and aquadest (negative control).  Antibacterial ability indicated by the clear zone around the disc paper Results: The average diameter of the inhibition zone was green okra fruit extract concentrations of 12.5% (12.14 mm), 25% (14.89 mm), 50% (18.53 mm), 100% (21.1 mm ), 17% EDTA (22.08 mm), and aquadest (0 mm). The results were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test and showed a significant difference between all research groups (α <0.05). Conclusion: The antibacterial ability of green okra fruit extract (Abelmoschus esculentus) increased from concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%, but still lower than the antibacterial ability of 17% EDTA against Staphylococcus aureus.