Immediate Antibacterial Effect of <i>Sargassum Binderi-Based</i> Mouthwash: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The current randomized controlled trial evaluated the immediate effect of a Sargassum binderi-based mouthwash on the reduction of cultivable oral bacteria compared with control. Methods: In the current randomized controlled trial, 30 individuals were screened for eligibility, of whom 14 met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to receive either a Sargassum binderi-based mouthwash or chlorhexidine 0.2%. Immediate post-rinse sampling was performed; however, residual antimicrobial carryover could not be entirely excluded. The total cultivable oral bacterial load was quantified at baseline and following intervention using standard culture-based techniques. Baseline bacterial composition was characterized using the analytical profile index (API) 20E identification system. Within-group pre-post changes and between-group differences were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Both the Sargassum binderi and chlorhexidine groups demonstrated complete eradication of cultivable oral bacteria following intervention. Baseline API 20E profiling identified clinically relevant oral bacterial taxa, including Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp and selected gram-negative species with inter-individual variability observed. Despite baseline compositional differences, antibacterial outcomes were uniform across participants, with no detectable cultivable bacteria post-intervention in either group. Conclusions: The Sargassum binderi-based mouthwash indicated an immediate reduction in total cultivable oral bacteria comparable to that following rinsing with 0.2% chlorhexidine. Further large-scale, long-term studies are warranted to confirm its sustained effects and clinical relevance.