Minimum inhibitory concentration of cinnamon essential oil in inhibiting the growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Periodontal disease is a persistent inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth due to inflammation of
the periodontal bacteria. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are periodontal bacteria
that colonize dental plaque, which is the main cause of periodontal disease. Antibacterial applications can help in the
healing process of periodontal disease. Chlorhexidine 0.2%, the gold standard for oral antiseptic, has unfavorable side
effects if used continuously. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) essential oil has the potential to be a natural
antibacterial alternative as it contains the active compounds of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. This study aims to examine
the antibacterial power and determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cinnamon (Cinnamomum
burmannii) essential oil in inhibiting the growth of the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter
actinomycetemcomitans. This study is experimental laboratory research using the disc diffusion method. Seven sample
groups, namely cinnamon essential oil concentrations of 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, 16%, and 0.2% chlorhexidine as the positive
control group and distilled water as the negative control group, were tested on the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum
ATCC 25586 and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 43718. The test was carried out 4 repetitions. An
inhibition zone was formed against the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
at 8% concentration of 13.16 mm and 13.49 mm, 16% concentration with a diameter of 17.35 mm and 18.58 mm and
0.2% chlorhexidine with diameters of 25.76 mm and 26.10 mm. Cinnamomum burmannii essential oil has antibacterial
activity against the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans with a minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC) is 8%.