Abstract

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF AVERRHOA BILIMBI LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Sri Agung Fitri Kusuma*, Eriek Gunawan and Nyi Mekar Saptarini

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of Averrhoa bilimbi leaf extract against Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus. Methods: The A. bilimbi leaf extract was obtained from a maceration process using 70% ethanol as the solvent. The thick extract then analyzed to detect secondary metabolites using the standard method. Followed by the determination of tannins percentage in the extract, using the cowhide as the substrat. The capability of the extract to produce inhibition against the test bacteria, was conducted by the agar diffusion method. Results: The phytochemical analysis of the A. bilimbi leaf extract revealed that it contained of alkaloids, tannins, and steroids. Among those phytochemicals, tannins are found to be the strongest antibacterial agent. But in fact, the A. bilimbi leaf extract did not produce antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis and S. aureus. Conclusion: The A. bilimbi leaf extract has no potential effect as an antibacterial against S. epidermidis and S. aureus.

Keywords: Averrhoa bilimbi, leaf, extract, antibacterial, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus.