STUDY ON EUGENOL AS A POTENTIAL ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT AGAINST: Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli

The increased population of antibiotic resistant bacteria limits the successful treatment of infectious diseases. The World Health Organization reports the antibiotic resistance shows a serious risk to public health since the bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics for two main reasons. This makes it harder to treat infections and highlights the need for better monitoring solutions. Eugenol a secondary metabolite obtained from clove buds has high potential in the field of biomedicine. Natural products are appealing due to their effectiveness, lower toxicity, and easy availability. Historically, these remedies have been used for treatment since ancient times, before the advent of modern antibiotics. Therefore this study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of eugenol as an alternative remedy for antibiotic resistance.Two pathogenic bacteria were tested: Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli. The inhibitory effect of commercially available eugenol was screened by Kirby Bauer method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, Maximum Bactericidal Concentration (MIC and MBC). Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy(CLSM) are utilized to distinguish between live and dead bacterial cells by using fluorescent dyes on biofilms. In contrast, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is used to examine the surface structure and material makeup of the cells.The following day after culturing, zones of inhibition were observed and measured in millimeters from the culture plates. Both bacteria showed zones of inhibition, but a larger zone was observed for S. mutans compared to E.coli. Images from Confocal and scanning microscopy indicated a higher proportion of red fluorescence that signifies dead cells, suggesting that cell membrane disruption contributes to cell death. The study reveals that eugenol effectively control the growth of these pathogenic bacteria and can be exploit as a natural antibiotic with lesser side effects.The present study differs by focusing on the bacterial strains that are responsible for many infectious diseases worldwide. By examining these specific pathogens, this research aims to provide new insights into the effectiveness of eugenol against a broader range of infectious agents. KEY WORDS: Antibiotic Resistance, Eugenol, Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli