Efeito do extrato do bagaço do pendúculo de caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) contra Streptococcus mutans.

Abstract

The Anacardium occidentale L, popularly known as cashew tree, occupies an important place among the fruit trees due to the increasing commercialization of its main products. In northeastern Brazil, its cultivation is one of the main agricultural activities in the region. Concentrating in the states of Ceará, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte, it is used in folk medicine for various therapeutic purposes, including as an antimicrobial. The cashew apple bagasse is obtained after extracting the juice, being a major source of waste of agribusiness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of the cashew apple pomace (ECAP) against the Streptococcus mutans. It was determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and the preventive assay for biofilm formation through biomass quantification. The Streptococcus mutans strain UA159 was used for this intention. The antimicrobial assay results showed that the ECAP was considered bactericidal (250μg.mL) and was considered bactericidal at the concentration of 1000μg.mL. Inhibition in the biomass was observed at the minimum concentration of 250μg.mL. Thus, it was concluded that the EPAC shows antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Streptococcus mutans. These results demonstrate the potential of the ECAP as a possible biotechnological product in the field of dentistry.