Antibacterial Activity of Noni Fruit Extract (Morinda citrifolia) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Abstract

Background: Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) has long been known by the people of Indonesia, especially Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) is also widely used as traditional medicine in almost all islands in Indonesia. Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) is also known to have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). The antibacterial activity of noni fruit is due to the phytochemical compounds found in noni fruit, such as iridoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, lignans, anthraquinone vitamins, and trace elements. Objective: This study is aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Methods: This research was an experiment using a well-diffusion method to determine the antibacterial activity of the methanol extract of Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in vitro. Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values were determined using the diffusion method. The MBC values were determined by suspension streaking Muller Hinton broth on a mac Conkey agar plate. Five concentrations were used for the diffusion method, obtained from serial dilution using distilled water. The concentrations used were 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, and 6.25%, respectively. The positive control of this study for Staphylococcus aureus was erythromycin 15 µg, and for MRSA was vancomycin 30 µg. Results: The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of methanol extract from Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) on Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in this study was 6,25% and 3,13% respectively. Conclusion: This research shows a higher antibacterial activity against MRSA. The average diameter of the inhibition zone in each specific case was 0 – 26.64 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and 0 – 24.63 mm for MRSA. Therefore, further research is needed in developing Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) as an oral or topical antibiotic.