Aims and objectives:The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare antimicrobial efficacy of Xylitol and Stevia against S.mutans.

Methods:The bacterial suspensions of S.mutans were distributed over the Brain Heart Infusion agar using a sterile swab. 8 agar plates were prepared. In each agar plate four wells of 6mm diameter were made of which two wells were utilized for xylitol and remaining two wells were utilized for stevia. 100 microliters of xylitol and stevia solutions were introduced in to the wells. Plates were incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2 for 48hrs. After 48 hrs, zones of inhibition were measured, data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Student t–test was used.

Results:Both xylitol and stevia significantly inhibited the growth of S.mutans. xylitol exhibited significantly higher growth inhibition than stevia.

Conclusion:Xylitol exhibited a superior antibacterial activity compared to stevia. Unlike xylitol, stevia had modest, but significant inhibitory effect on the growth of cariogenic S.mutans.