Abstract

SYZYGIUM POLYANTHUM [WIGHT.] WALP LEAVES EXTRACT AS THE ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT FOR STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Sri Agung Fitri Kusuma*, Rizal Zam’an and Irma Erika Herawati

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial potency of Syzygium polyanthum [Wight.] Walp leaves extract against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The Syzygium leaves were extracted using a maceration method with a 70 % ethanol as the solvent. Then the macerates were evaporated in a rotary evaporator at 40-50 0C to obtain a thick extract and the extract was screened using Harborne’s standard method to detect its secondary metabolite content. The extract at various concentrations of 20, 40, 60 and 80 % w/v were evaluated to determine its antibacterial potency against S. aureus using the agar diffusion method. Results: The selected extraction method was effectively applied to the dried leaves of S. polyanthum. The secondary metabolites content of the leave, before and after extraction, was not influenced by the extraction method and the solvent. Both in dried leaves and extracts, they contain the same secondary metabolites, i.e. tannins and flavonoids. The leaves extract of S. polyanthum provided higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus as the increasing of the used extract concentrations. Conclusion: The leaf extract of S. polyanthum has a great opportunity to become a potential natural inhibitor against S. aureus.

Keywords: Syzygium polyanthum [Wight.] Walp, leaf, Staphylococcus aureus, antibacterial, potency.