PENGEMBANGAN PASTA GIGI FITOBIOTIK EKSTRAK DAUN BELIMBING WULUH (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) DENGAN UJI TPC IN VIVO

Abstract

Bilimbi leaves (Averrhoa bilimbi) are a plant containing secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and steroids that may serve as antibacterial agents. The objective of this study was to determine whether bilimbi leaf extract can be formulated into a toothpaste preparation and inhibit the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. The research was conducted in several working stages, beginning with plant identification/determination, sample collection, preparation of simplicia powder, examination of simplicia characteristics, extraction by maceration method using 70% ethanol as solvent, toothpaste formulation, and evaluation of the preparation including organoleptic testing, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, foam height, viscosity, and in vivo total plate count bacterial testing. The results showed that toothpaste preparations containing bilimbi leaf ethanol extract at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were semi-solid in form, homogeneous, with pH ranging from 6.53–7.32, spreadability ranging from 5–6 cm, foam height ranging from 6.7–7.8 cm, viscosity ranging from 32,058–33,724 mPa.s, and the mean total plate count (CFU/ml) from day 1 to day 3 as follows: F0 (341.5–246.5), F1 (332.5–219), F2 (228–78), F3 (171–73.5), and K+ (251.5–101). Bilimbi leaf ethanol extract can be formulated into a toothpaste preparation, and at a concentration of 15% it optimally inhibits bacterial growth in the oral cavity.