ABSTRACT
Background: Dental caries and periodontal disease can be caused by bacteria that attack hard and soft tissues in the oral cavity like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans bacteria One way to prevent infections caused by the bacteria are by using mouthwash. Currently, mouthwash that is widely used is mouthwash containing chlorhexidine, which has side effects in the form of tooth staining when used prolonged. The need for alternative medicines from nature that effectively cope with polymicrobial infections. One of the marine products that has pharmaceutical properties is squid, especially the ink it produces.Methods: This research is a pure experimental study (true experimental design) with a randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Squid ink Loligo sp. extract, obtained by extracting squid ink Loligo sp., with maceration method using 96% ethanol solvent. This research uses serial dilution method with spectrophotometric testing method.Results: After measuring the turbidity value in each treatment tube, it was found that at a concentration of 1.56% squid ink Loligo sp. extract began to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans bacteria. This is proven because the absorbance value after and before incubation is fixed.Conclusions: The minimum inhibitory concentration of squid ink Loligo sp. extract on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutants at a concentration of 1.56%.