Antimicrobial Effect of <i>Piper betle</i> Leaves Extract on Cotton Fabrics for Vaginal Discharge Sanitary Napkins

Abstract

The betel (Piper betle) leaves have been using for traditional medicine in several tropical countries, like Indonesia. The betel leaves have the antimicrobial property for inhibiting the growth of microbes. In this study, cotton fabric was treated with the betel leaves extract 1, 5 and 10 g/l. The peper betel leaves are extracted by using boiling water up to half. The betel leaf extract was imparted onto the cotton fabrics for underclothes apparel using a pad-dry-cure. The antimicrobial activity property of treat cotton fabrics was assessed (Escherchia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Candida albicans AATCC 100-2004). The piper betle extract more effective to inhibit the growth of Candida Albicans than Escherchia coli, Staphylococcus aureus. Lactobacillus acidophilus as a good bacteria around the vagina, can still grow. From the result of this study, betel leaf is an antiseptic, then can be used in preventing vaginal discharge. The durability of the betel leaf extract on the cotton fabric did not decrease significantly after washing 15 times using Lounder O’meter machine washing. The excellent performance of antimicrobial on the fabrics can keep clean and can help the vaginal area keep clean, odorless, and is expected to prevent vaginal discharge.