EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF RHIZOPHORA MUCRONATA LEAVES ON THE GROWTH OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS

Abstrak

Background : Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the bacteria that cause skin infections. Indonesian communities use treatments such as ointments for skin diseases; however, this approach often fails to provide healing. Therefore, alternatives are needed by utilizing antimicrobial active compounds from plants containing secondary metabolites that function as antibacterial agents, one of which is Rhizophora mucronata. This study aimed to determine the effect of ethanol extract of Rhizophora mucronata leaves on the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Methods : The inhibition test of Staphylococcus epidermidis growth was carried out on Mueller Hinton agar using the disk diffusion method. There were six treatment groups: a positive control with Ciprofloxacin 5 mcg, a negative control with sterile distilled water, and extract concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, each performed in four repetitions. 
Results : The results showed that the Rhizophora mucronata leaf extract in the positive control had an average inhibition zone of 30.85 mm; the 100% extract concentration was 11.24 mm; the 75% concentration was 9.45 mm; the 50% concentration was 8.09 mm; and the 25% concentration and negative control were 6.00 mm (no inhibition zone formed). 
Conclusion : This study demonstrates that Rhizophora mucronata leaf extract has antibacterial effects in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis at concentrations of 50%, 75%, and 100%.