Toothpaste Formulation Containing 24-Methylenecycloartanol Isolated from Pometia pinnata Fruit Peel as an Antibiofilm Agent Against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Abstract

Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) remains a significant public health concern in Indonesia, with Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans identified as the principal cariogenic microorganisms responsible for biofilm formation and caries progression. Natural phytochemicals isolated from tropical plants represent a promising strategy for addressing the antimicrobial resistance limitations associated with conventional agents.
Objective: This study aimed to optimise toothpaste formulations incorporating 24-methylenecycloartanol (24-MCA) at varying concentrations and to evaluate their antibiofilm efficacy against S. mutans (ATCC 25175) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231).
Materials and Methods: Six toothpaste formulations (F0–F5) were prepared with 24-MCA concentrations ranging from 0% to 0.05% (w/w). Physicochemical characterisation was performed in compliance with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 8861:2020. Antibiofilm activity was assessed using a microdilution crystal violet assay, with absorbance read at 540 nm and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) as the positive control.
Results: All six formulations complied with the Indonesian national toothpaste standard with respect to pH, viscosity, spreadability and foam height, and remained stable after accelerated storage cycling. Formulation F3 (0.03% w/w 24-MCA) exhibited the most potent antibiofilm activity, achieving 92.28% inhibition at 24 h and 89.30% inhibition at 48 h against the dual-species biofilm of S. mutans and C. albicans.
Conclusion: The 0.03% (w/w) 24-MCA toothpaste formulation demonstrated optimal physicochemical properties and superior dual antibiofilm efficacy against the primary cariogenic pathogens.