Coffee pulp: From a by-product of coffee production to a potential anticariogenic mouth rinse! An in vivo study

• Published in: Journal of conservative dentistry Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 693 - 696
• Main Authors: Bollamma, P. B. Keerthan, Nanjamma, K. K., Ponnappa, K. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 01.11.2023; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: Allergies; Antimicrobial activity; Chlorhexidine; Coffee; Dental caries; Dental pulp; Image processing; Microorganisms; Minimum inhibitory concentration; Mouthwashes; Original; Original Article; Patient compliance; Saliva; Statistical analysis; Caries prevention; Robusta coffee extracts; Streptococcus mutans
• ISSN: 2950-4716; 0972-0707; 2950-4708; 2950-4708
• DOI: 10.4103/JCDE.JCDE_149_23

Abstract Background and Objectives: Dental caries is a prevalent disease despite various efforts made toward its prevention. The drawbacks of the available preventive agents have led to the quest for a potentially more effective agent with fewer adverse effects. Coffee, a local produce of Coorg, is one such herbal alternative. This study aims to assess the potential antimicrobial activity of Robusta coffee pulp extracts on Streptococcus mutans. Methodology: A total of 39 participants were divided into three groups with 13 participants each, after obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent: Group A (negative control), sterile water; Group B (positive control), 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinse; and Group C, 2.5% coffee pulp extract rinse (prepared according to minimum inhibitory concentration). The saliva samples were collected from the patients in a sterile Eppendorf tube at prerinse for baseline, at 1-h postrinse, and at the end of 2 weeks. The S. mutans colony count was done using image-based software analysis. The acquired data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey's test. Results: Coffee pulp mouth rinse (P = 0.035) and positive control (P = 0.036) groups showed a statistically significant reduction in the microbial count at 2 weeks postrinse (compared to the negative control group). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: The coffee pulp extract-based mouth rinse is a potential anticariogenic agent that offers few advantages over chlorhexidine as no instances of staining, altered taste, or any allergic reactions were reported by the subjects.