Antibacterial Activity of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) Leaf Extract Against Bacterial Plaque from Gingivitis Patients

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the free-floating aquatic perennials that are still rarely utilized. Water hyacinth leaf extract contains alkaloid compounds, flavonoids, phenols, glutathione, terpenoids, and saponins, which have potent antibacterial activity. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of Water hyacinth leaf extract against bacterial plaque from gingivitis patients. This study used the maceration technique to prepare Water hyacinth leaf extract with 70% ethanol. A dilution technique was used to form eight concentration extracts: 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.125%, 3.125%, 1.56%, and 0.78%. The antibacterial effect of the extract was studied by counting the number of growth colonies that grew on the Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) medium. Post-hoc HSD Test statistical analysis of the antibacterial potency of Water hyacinth leaf extract on colony bacterial plaque growth in patients with gingivitis showed a significant result (p = 0.00) with inhibition activity of Water hyacinth leaf extract starting at 3.125%. Water hyacinth leaf extract was potential effective to inhibit bacterial plaque growth in patients with gingivitis from the concentration of 3.125%