<![CDATA[Pendahuluan : Karies gigi merupakan masalah kesehatan gigi dan mulut dengan prevalensi tertinggi di Indonesia yang disebabkan oleh Streptococcus mutans. Penggunaan antibiotik masih menjadi perawatan utama, namun beresiko menimbulkan alergi dan resistensi bakteri apabila tidak diberikan secara tepat. Permasalahan tersebut dapat diatasi dengan pemanfaatan tanaman obat sebagai alternatif antibakteri, salah satunya serai dapur (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.) yang mengandung minyak atsiri dengan senyawa antibakteri seperti sitral, geraniol, dan neral. Tujuan penelitian untuk menganalisis efektivitas minyak atsiri daun dan batang semu serai dapur terhadap pertumbuhan Streptococcus mutans. Metode: Penelitian ini adalah studi eksperimental laboratorium dengan rancangan post-test only control group design. Sampel penelitian ini Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. Minyak atsiri serai dapur daun dan batang semu didapatkan dari destilasi air-uap kemudian diuji aktivitas antibakteri dengan metode difusi cakram menggunakan media Nutrient Agar (NA) terhadap konsentrasi 5%, 10%, 15% dan kontrol positif (Amoksisilin 32 µg), serta kontrol negatif (DMSO). Analisis statistik menggunakan uji two way ANOVA yang dilanjutkan uji LSD. Hasil: Terdapat zona hambat minyak atsiri daun dan batang semu terhadap Streptococcus mutans. Minyak atsiri daun serai dapur konsentrasi 5% (2,86 mm), 10% (9,78 mm) dan 15% (14,96 mm), sedangkan minyak atsiri batang semu serai dapur konsentrasi 5% (1,23 mm), 10% (7,58 mm) dan 15% (13,55 mm). Uji two way ANOVA dan uji LSD diperoleh hasil yang signifikan dengan p=0,001 (p<0,05). Simpulan: Terdapat efektivitas minyak atsiri daun dan batang semu serai dapur terhadap pertumbuhan Streptococcus mutans pada konsentrasi 15% dengan kategori kuat.The effectiveness of essential oil from lemongrass leaves and pseudostems on the growth Of Streptococcus mutans: an experimental studyIntroduction: Dental caries is the most prevalent oral health problem in Indonesia, primarily caused by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans. Antibiotics remain the main treatment, but they carry the risk of causing allergies and bacterial resistance if not administered properly. This problem can be addressed by utilizing medicinal plants as alternative antibacterial agents, one of which is lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.), which contains essential oils with antibacterial compounds such as citral, geraniol, and neral. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of essential oils from lemongrass leaves and pseudostems on the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Methods: This study was a laboratory experimental study with a post-test only control group design. The research sample was Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. Essential oils from lemongrass leaves and pseudostems were obtained from steam distillation and then tested for antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method with Nutrient Agar (NA) medium at concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and a positive control (Amoxicillin 32 µg) as well as a negative control (DMSO). Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way ANOVA test followed by an LSD test. Results: There was an inhibition zone formed by essential oils from lemongrass leaves and pseudostems against Streptococcus mutans. Essential oil from lemongrass leaves at concentrations of 5% (2.86 mm), 10% (9.78 mm), and 15% (14.96 mm), while lemongrass pseudostem essential oil at concentrations of 5% (1.23 mm), 10% (7.58 mm) and 15% (13.55 mm). The two-way ANOVA and LSD tests yielded significant results with p=0.001 (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was significant antibacterial activity in essential oil from the leaves and pseudostems of lemongrass against the growth of Streptococcus mutans at a concentration of 15%,indicating strong antibacterial strength.]]>
