Antimicrobial properties of Cocos nucifera (coconut) husk: An extrapolation to oral health
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Brushing the teeth with fibrous husk of Cocos nucifera (coconut) is a common oral hygiene practice among people of rural areas of South India. However, the probable antimicrobial properties of this plant material against common oral pathogens have not been proved scientifically. Therefore, the present study was designed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Alcoholic extract of the husk of Cocos nucifera was prepared and the antimicrobial properties against common oral pathogens like cariogenic bacteria, periodontal pathogens, and candidal organisms were performed by the Agar Well Diffusion Method. The results obtained were then subjected to statistical analysis using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD). RESULTS: The alcoholic extract of Cocos nucifera showed a significant concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity, expressed as a zone of inhibition with respect to all tested organisms except Actinomyces species. The inhibitory effect was more significant, with a majority of cariogenic organisms and Candida, with a zone of inhibition ranging from 4.6 mm to 16.3 mm. However, the effect was lesser with Cocos nucifera compared to chlorhexidine. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged from 50 mg/ml to 75 mg/ml. CONCLUSION: Cocos nucifera has a significant inhibitory action against common oral pathogens, indicating the presence of highly effective antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, it is proved that its use can contribute to oral health to a great extent. Identification of these active compounds provides the scope for incorporating it into a modern oral care system, so as to control oral diseases.
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Alcoholic extracts of coconut husk showed significant concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against all tested oral pathogens except Actinomyces species, but the effect was less than that of chlorhexidine.
“There was significant concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity, expressed as a zone of inhibition with respect to all tested organisms except Actinomyces species. However, the effect of the C. nucifera extract was less than that of chlorhexidine.”
From Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review (2015) · cites this paper as [47]
Various extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds from different parts of the coconut fruit show activities including antihypertensive; analgesia; vasodilation; protection of kidney, heart, and liver functions; protection against ulcers; and anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-osteoporosis, antidiabetes, antineoplastic, bactericidal, antihelminthic, antimalarial, leishmanicidal, antifungal, и
“Various extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds from different parts of the coconut fruit were tested, showing different activities, including antihypertensive; analgesia; vasodilation; protection of kidney, heart, and liver functions; protection against ulcers; and anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-osteoporosis, antidiabetes, antineoplastic, bactericidal, antihelminthic, antimalarial, le”
From Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review (2015) · cites this paper as [47]
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- Authors
- Shantaram, M., Jose, M., Cyriac, M., Pai, V., & Varghese, I.
- Affiliations
- Yenepoya University (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Shantaram, Manjula
- Venue
- Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine
- Publisher
- Manuscript Technomedia LLP
- Published
- 2014
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 359
- ISSN
- 0976-9668 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4121915
- OpenAlex
- W2157883375
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 0.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Natural Science Biology and Medicine (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Coconut Research and Applications
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Keywords
- Cocos nucifera, coconut husk, antimicrobial activity, oral pathogens, cariogenic bacteria, periodontal pathogens, Candida, alcoholic extract, minimum inhibitory concentration, chlorhexidine comparison
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