Antimicrobial Efficacy of a Novel Root Canal Irrigant Made from Coconut and Bromelain Extract against Biofilm Forming Pathogens– An In vitro Evaluation

Sodium hypochlorite is shown to be a gold standard intracanal irrigant which has shown to have adequate antimicrobial properties and tissue dissolving properties. The toxicity of these irrigants are seen to be high towards various cells. Natural irrigants provide an alternative to show adequate antimicrobial activity and lesser cytotoxicity potential. The current study proposes a novel intracanal irrigant made from coconut and bromelain extract.

10grams of sodium hydroxide was dissolved in deionized water followed by which 60ml of coconut oil was added to the warm water bath (40C). The final product was left to dry and crushed manually to powder. This powder was then taken in measured quantity to make a final product containing 20% of coconut and 4% of bromelain. The obtained irrigant was then evaluated against Enterococcus faecalis using Agar well diffusion method.

For the natural irrigant, the maximum zone of inhibition was seen highest at 22mm against Enterococcus faecalis and 25mm against Candida Albicans. For 3% sodium hypochlorite when compared against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida Albicans showed a maximum zone of inhibition at 33mm against Enterococcus faecalis and 35mm against Candida Albicans.

The study shows that the novel irrigant derived from coconut and bromelain extract has a good antimicrobial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. It can be concluded that it has a potential application as a root canal irrigant for root canal disinfection.