Antibacterial Activity Test of the Ethanol in Leaves Extract of Senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum L.) Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Senduduk (Melastoma malabathricum L.) is one of the wild plants used as traditional medicine. Senduduk leaves are used as a medicine for sprue, boils, diarrhea and smallpox. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibacterial activity of the ethanol extract of senduduk leaves of the against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Senduduk leaves extracted by maceration using 96% ethanol solvent. Antibacterial activity testing is carried out using the diffusion method using paper discs.This experiment was repeated three times using concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%.Ethanol extract of the senduduk leaves contains flavonoids, saponins, tannins and steroids/triterpenoids. The test results showed that the ethanol extract of the leaves has antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus which is characterized by the inhibition zone formed around the disc paper. In Escherichia coli bacteria the smallest inhibition zone at a concentration of 20% with a diameter of inhibition zone 11 mm and the largest diameter of the inhibitory zone at a concentration of 80% with a diameter of inhibition zone 19 mm. whereas for the smallest inhibitory zone Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at a concentration of 20% with an inhibition zone diameter of 12.6 mm and the largest inhibitory zone dameter at a concentration of 80% with a diameter of the inhibitory zone 21,3 mm.The results of the study concluded that the ethanol extract of Senduduk leaves has antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.