Antibacterial effect of coconut water and coconut oil on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

The antibacterial effects of coconut products have been extensively studied in the recent years. Due to the high prevalence of periodontal disease and the role of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans) in periodontitis, antimicrobial agents can be effective in controlling this condition. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial effects of coconut water and coconut oil on A. actinomycetemcomitans. Materials and Methods: Coconut water was extracted by cracking a coconut, and coconut oil was extracted by an oil-pressing machine by the cold pressing method at -50 ̊C. The disc diffusion test was carried out on 4 plates containing coconut oil, coconut water, positive control, and negative control to measure the diameter of growth inhibition zone. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. All tests were repeated 3 times. Results: Coconut oil in 100% concentration showed no antibacterial effect on A. actinomycetemcomitans in the disc diffusion test. Thus, the MBC and MIC were not determined for the coconut oil. Coconut water demonstrated a bactericidal effect with 11, 9, and 0 mm growth inhibition zone diameter on 3 consecutive repetitions. According to independent t-test, a significant difference existed between the diameter of growth inhibition zone caused by coconut oil and positive control (P= 0.001). Conclusion: Coconut oil showed no antibacterial effect on A. actinomycetemcomitans, and the antibacterial effect of coconut water on A. actinomycetemcomitans was very weak.