Inhibitor potency of toothpaste containing 1% Chitosan extracted from crab shell on streptococcus mutans

The most common bacteria that cause dental caries are Streptococcus mutans. Prevention of dental caries can be done by brushing teeth using toothpaste that contains antibacterial ingredients. Chitosan is a derivative product of chitin, which is extracted from crab shell. Chitosan has been proven to be non-toxic, has good biocompatibility and antibacterial effect. To determine the inhibition of toothpaste containing 1 percent chitosan extracted from crab shell on Streptococcus mutans. This study is an experimental study with only post-control design. A diffusion method was used to determine the effect of the material on bacteria. Agar media was used to culture Streptococcus mutans and divided into four parts. Toothpaste containing 1% chitosan from crab shell with low weight molecule, medium weight molecule, high weight molecule and basic toothpaste without any chitosan, are put into each part. The average inhibition zone diameter against Streptococcus mutans in toothpaste containing chitosan are various among its molecule weight. At low molecular weight has a diameter of 16.4914 mm, medium molecular weight has a diameter of 17.500 mm, high molecular weight has a diameter of 19.0643 mm, and in basic toothpaste without chitosan has a diameter of 14.9214 mm. Inhibitory effect of toothpaste containing 1% chitosan extracted from crab shell on Streptococcus mutans is increased from low molecular weight to high molecular weight.