Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Candida albicans merupakan jamur oportunistik yang berperan dalam terjadinya infeksi rongga mulut melalui peningkatan laju pertumbuhan dan pembentukan biofilm. Penggunaan obat kumur berbahan alami menjadi alternatif untuk mengendalikan mikroorganisme patogen dengan efek samping minimal. Salah satu bahan yang berpotensi adalah β-karoten dari kelapa sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) yang memiliki aktivitas antioksidan dan antimikroba. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi respon sitotoksisitas formula obat kumur berbasis β-karoten kelapa sawit terhadap laju pertumbuhan dan pembentukan biofilm Candida albicans. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental laboratorik dengan rancangan post-test only control group design. Sampel Candida albicans dibagi ke dalam kelompok kontrol negatif, kontrol positif, serta kelompok perlakuan formula obat kumur berbasis β-karoten dengan variasi konsentrasi. Uji sitotoksisitas dilakukan menggunakan metode MTT assay, laju pertumbuhan dianalisis berdasarkan nilai optical density (OD), dan pembentukan biofilm dievaluasi menggunakan metode crystal violet assay. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa formula obat kumur berbasis β-karoten bersifat relatif aman serta mampu menurunkan laju pertumbuhan dan pembentukan biofilm Candida albicans dibandingkan kelompok kontrol. Efek penghambatan meningkat seiring dengan peningkatan konsentrasi β-karoten. Dengan demikian, formula obat kumur berbasis β-karoten kelapa sawit berpotensi dikembangkan sebagai alternatif bahan alami dalam pengendalian Candida albicans untuk menjaga kesehatan rongga mulut.
Kata kunci: β-karoten; obat kumur; kelapa sawit; Candida albicans; sitotoksisitas; biofilm.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that can cause oral infections through increased growth rate and biofilm formation. The use of natural-based mouthwash has emerged as an alternative approach to control pathogenic microorganisms with minimal side effects. One potential natural agent is β-carotene derived from palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity response of a β-carotene–based palm oil mouthwash formula on the growth rate and biofilm formation of Candida albicans. This experimental laboratory study employed a post-test only control group design. Candida albicans samples were divided into negative control, positive control, and treatment groups receiving β-carotene–based mouthwash formulations with different concentrations. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay, growth rate was analyzed based on optical density (OD) values, and biofilm formation was evaluated using the crystal violet assay. Data were analyzed descriptively. The results demonstrated that the β-carotene–based mouthwash formula was relatively safe and effectively reduced the growth rate and biofilm formation of Candida albicans compared to the control groups. The inhibitory effect increased with higher β-carotene concentrations. In conclusion, the β-carotene–based palm oil mouthwash formula has potential to be developed as a natural alternative for controlling Candida albicans and maintaining oral health. Keywords: β-carotene; mouthwash; palm oil; Candida albicans; cytotoxicity; biofilm.