Isolation of antifungal bioactive compounds from an ethanolic extract of beluntas leaves (Pluchea indica) against Microsporum canis

Abstract

Background: Fungus prevalence in Indonesia is still relatively high. This happens because Indonesia has high temperatures and humidity. Beluntas (Pluchea indica) is a shrub native to Indonesia and widely distributed in most parts of the country. Pluchea indica is usually used by the community as a medicine for skin diseases. The bioactive content of P. indica leaves has potential as an antifungal agent. One of the fungi that is pathogenic to humans is Microsporum canis. Method: N-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol served as the solvents for the graded maceration method of extraction over two 24-hour periods. Furthermore, using Vacuum Liquid Chromatography (VLC) and characterization with UV-Vis and FT-IR. Antifungal activity was performed by disc diffusion method. Results: Pluchea indica leaves have antifungal activity in the ethanol extract of 20.08 mm (very strong), the F5 fraction of 22.24 mm (very strong), and the F5 isolate of 6.3 mm (weak) at a concentration of 4%. Based on the UV-Vis and FT-IR data, the isolate had a wavelength of 267 nm with a functional group of -OH, C=C aromatic, C-H, and C-O. Conclusion: Isolate from the ethanol extract of Pluchea indica leaves has potential as an antifungal originating from the flavonoid group. Keywords: Pluchea indica, antifungal, Microsporum canis, isolation compound