Antibacterial activity of Balinese Traditional Herbs Elephantopus Scaber Linn and Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb against Burkholderia pseudomallei, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract

Background: Herbal medicinal plants are considered one of the sources for new types of antibiotics due to their secondary metabolite that may have antibacterial effects. Tapak Liman (Elephantopus scaber linn) and Temu Ireng (Curcuma aeruginosa roxb) are two medicinal plants that have potential as antibacterial agents due to their secondary metabolite contents. This study aimed to investigate the secondary metabolite contents of tapak liman and temu ireng grown locally in Bali and their antibacterial activity against Burkholderia pseudomallei, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium. Methods: This post-test experimental research was conducted from June to December 2021 at the Universitas Warmadewa Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Laboratory. Tapak liman leaves and temu ireng rhizomes, sourced from a local garden in Denpasar, Bali, were used. Ethanolic extracts of these plants were tested for secondary metabolites and their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Results: A phytochemical analysis of tapak liman from Denpasar shows that it contains alkaloids and phenols, while temuireng contains flavonoids, tannins, and phenols. Antibacterial tests revealed that both plants have a weak effect against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus but negligible effect against gram-negative Burkholderia pseudomallei and Salmonella typhimurium. Conclusion: Both tapak liman and temu ireng ethanolic extract have weak antibacterial properties against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and negligible/no antibacterial properties against gram-negative Burkholderia pseudomallei and Salmonella typhimurium.