Antimicrobial Activity of Ecoenzyme against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans as an Alternative Antiseptic Mouthwash

Abstract

Ecoenzyme, which contains various bioactive compounds, is believed to be a substitute for conventional mouthwash that is associated with various possible adverse side effects. In addition to helping overcome waste problems, using Eco Enzyme could be an alternative solution to safely overcome oral health problems with minimal side effects. Several previous studies have studied the potential utilization of eco enzyme from specific fruit peels such as pineapple, orange, papaya, and lemon for oral health care. However, using specific fruit peels as raw materials for making eco enzyme tends to be difficult since household food waste generally consists of various mixed materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of Eco Enzyme made from mixed fruit peel waste against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans, which are bacterial and fungal species most commonly associated with oral health disorders as an early step in the development of Eco Enzyme mouthwash. Antimicrobial activity was determined by an inhibitory test using the agar disk diffusion method. The results showed that Eco Enzyme concentrations of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% inhibited S. mutans with zones of 10.5 mm (strong), 8.0 mm (medium), 7.0 mm (medium), and 4.0 mm (weak), respectively. Meanwhile, the bacterial tests of E. faecalis and C. albicans did not form inhibition zones. This study concludes that Eco enzymes from mixed fruit peels showed inhibitory activity against S. mutans at a minimum concentration of 25% and did not show inhibitory activity against E. faecalis and C. albicans.