Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of curcumin longa against streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Aim: To evaluate antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of curcumin against Candida albicans and steptococcus mutans by agar well diffusion method. Background: Oral pathogens such as streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans are associated with severe human diseases.The alarming incidence of antibiotic resistance amongst the microbes, has led to the search of alternative antimicrobial drugs from medicinal plant to treat these infections. Curcumin, an active product of turmeric (curcuma longa) has broad spectrum of biological actions. Materials and Methods: Curcumin was diluted with ethanol and with phosphate buffered saline. Test organisms were cultured in the respective culture media.Antimicrobial activity was tested by using agar well diffusion method. Results: Confluent growth was seen in Candida albicans and no growth was seen in streptococcus mutans which indicates that curcumin was effective against streptococcus mutans and does not have antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans.