Antibacterial Efficacy of Theobroma cacao Mixtures on the Elimination of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to compare the antibacterial efficacy of mixtures based on Theobroma cacao (ThC), ThC plus erythritol, and ThC + erythritol + Psidium guajava (PsG) on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in vitro.

Materials and Methods

Pure cacao extract was used through desiccation in alcohol, and guava leaves were macerated in 96% alcohol. Tests were conducted on four groups: pure ThC, ThC sweetened with erythritol, ThC sweetened with erythritol and PsG, and chlorhexidine as a control on strains of S. mutans and C. albicans, at concentrations of 100, 75, 50, and 25%, respectively, evaluated at 24 and 48 hours.

Statistical Analysis

ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were performed to compare the time and efficacy on S. mutans and C. albicans with a 95% confidence level. Additionally, a linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS and InfoStat software.

Results

Pure ThC at 100% had greater antibacterial activity than other mixtures against S. mutans, with inhibition halos of 15.34 and 15.16 mm at 24 and 48 hours, respectively, which was almost similar to that observed with 0.12% chlorhexidine (15.7 mm). Furthermore, for C. albicans, pure ThC and ThC + erythritol + PsG at 100% had halos of 10.36 and 10.18 mm, respectively, at both 24 and 48 hours, which were significantly superior to chlorhexidine. Among these mixtures, pure ThC at 100% was the most effective against S. mutans, and pure ThC and ThC + erythritol + PsG mixture at 100% showed antibacterial effectiveness against C. albicans.

Conclusion

The 100% concentration mixtures were effective against S. mutans and C. albicans, highlighting the effectiveness of the pure cacao extract. Additionally, the mixture with erythritol and guava extract would be useful as a treatment against C. albicans and also showed similar effectiveness to chlorhexidine against S. mutans.

Keywords

Streptococcus mutans - Candida albicans - Theobroma cacao - antibacterial agent - in vitro

Publication History

Article published online:
22 April 2025

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