Indonesian Kepel Fruit (Stelechocarpus burahol) as Oral Deodorant

Abstract

Kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) fruit has been known to have efficacy as an oral deodorant in Java Island, Indonesia for a long time. The research aimed on Indonesian Herbal Kepel as deodorant agent for reducing fecal odorants which are ammonia, trimethyl-amine and phenol. Pharmacological screening test was conducted by measuring the adsorbent activities of Kepel's fruit (pulp, seed and peel) to odorants which can be emitted from feces, such as ammonia (NH3) and methyl-mercaptan (CH3SH). To confirm it ability as an oral deodorant, in vivo test was performed by applying it orally on rats. Kepel's fruits pulp powder was regarded as the best absorbent agent (adsorbed 62.96 and 77.78% for NH3 and CH3SH, respectively). All fecal odorant on the 3rd and 7th day oral application result showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Beside the odor ant adsorption, it also activates the probiotic Bifidobacter sp. by increasing its population. In conclusion, kepel had a potential pharmacological activity as an oral deodorant through its adsorbent function and probiotic activation.