DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2018.v06i07.012

Pages: 553-556

In the present study, the stem extracts of the plant Pongamia pinnata, L. has been selected to investigate upon its antimicrobial activity against tooth bacteria and its antibacterial activities were compared with market products. The antimicrobial tests were conducted by using two different solvent based plant extracts i.e. aqueous and ethanol stem extracts. Least bacterial colonies were found in nutrient agar plate streaked with tooth bacteria, after brushing with stem of Pongamia pinnata, L. As compared to bacterial colonies obtained on nutrient agar plate, after brushing with sodium monofluorophosphate. From the MIC test of aqueous and ethanol stem extracts against gram positive tooth bacteria, it was found that both aqueous and ethanol extracts were effective against gram positive tooth bacteria. It is also seen that ethanol stem extract is more effective than aqueous stem extract. In disc diffusion method, it was found that both aqueous and ethanol stem extracts showed inhibition zone at different concentrations against gram positive tooth bacteria and inhibition zone indicated that ethanol extract was more effective than aqueous extract of Pongamia pinnata, L dry stems.