Objective: The objective of this research is to isolate reuterin from chewing gum which consist of L. reuteri and to prove the effect of reuterin isolate L. reuteri on S. mutans and P. gingivalis in vitro.
Method: L. reuteri was isolated from chewing gum contain L. reuteri and fermented with glycerol to produce reuterin. The molecule's weight of reuterin was counted by SDS-PAGE. Reuterin isolate L. reuteri was diluted into four differences concentration (100%, 50%, 25%, and 12,5%). The effect of reuterin on S. mutans and P. gingivalis were observed with growth inhibition test.
Result: The existence of inhibition zone has been formed in cultivation media of S. mutans and P. gingivalis. This study showed there was a significant difference of inhibition zone (p<0.05) between first dilution of reuterin (100%) with second dilution (50%), and between first dilution (100%) with the third dilution (25%) on S. mutans growth. Significant difference (p<0.05) also found between first dilution of reuterin (100%) with second dilution (50%), between first dilution (100%) with the third dilution (25%) and between second dilution (50%) with third dilution (25%) on P. gingivalis growth.
Conclusions: It proves that reuterin inhibit the growth of S. mutans and P. gingivalis.