Formulation and Antibacterial Activity of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Paper Soap With Variations of Glycerine as Plasticizer Againt Staphylococcus Aureus / Formulasi Dan Uji Aktivitas Antibakteri Sabun Kertas Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Dengan Variasi Gliserin Sebagai Plasticizer Terhadap Staphylococcus Aureus

Background: Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) contains medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFA), particularly lauric acid, which is known for its antibacterial properties. VCO has the potential to be formulated into a practical and hygienic paper soap dosage form. In paper soap formulation, glycerin acts as a plasticizer that affects the physical properties of the preparation, but its effect on antibacterial activity has not been widely explored. Objective: This study aimed to formulate VCO paper soap with variations in glycerin concentration and to analyze its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: This experimental research formulated four paper soap formulas with variations in glycerin concentration: 0% (F1), 10% (F2), 15% (F3), and 20% (F4). The preparations were evaluated through organoleptic tests, pH tests, foam height tests, and free alkali tests. Antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus using the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer) with a positive control (commercial paper soap) and a negative control (aquadest). Results: The evaluation results showed that all formulas met the physico-chemical quality standards for soap. Formula 3 (15% glycerin) was the best preparation based on overall evaluation. The antibacterial test showed that all four VCO paper soap formulas (F1-F4) had moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone diameters that were not statistically significantly different. The negative control showed no activity, while the positive control showed strong antibacterial activity. Conclusion: It was concluded that VCO paper soap was successfully formulated and exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Variations in glycerin concentration (0-20%) did not significantly affect the antibacterial activity, which is presumed to be more influenced by the lauric acid content in VCO.

Latar Belakang: Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) mengandung asam lemak jenuh rantai sedang (Medium Chain Fatty Acid/MCFA), khususnya asam laurat, yang diketahui memiliki sifat antibakteri. VCO berpotensi untuk diformulasikan dalam sediaan sabun kertas yang praktis dan higienis. Dalam formulasi sabun kertas, gliserin berperan sebagai plasticizer yang mempengaruhi sifat fisik sediaan, namun pengaruhnya terhadap aktivitas antibakteri belum banyak dieksplorasi. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memformulasi sabun kertas VCO dengan variasi konsentrasi gliserin dan menganalisis aktivitas antibakterinya terhadap Staphylococcus aureus. Metode: Penelitian eksperimental ini memformulasi empat formula sabun kertas dengan variasi konsentrasi gliserin: 0% (F1), 10% (F2), 15% (F3), dan 20% (F4). Sediaan dievaluasi secara organoleptis, uji pH, uji tinggi busa, dan uji alkali bebas. Aktivitas antibakteri diuji terhadap Staphylococcus aureus menggunakan metode difusi cakram (Kirby-Bauer) dengan kontrol positif (sabun kertas komersial) dan kontrol negatif (aquadest). Hasil: Hasil evaluasi menunjukkan semua formula memenuhi standar mutu fisiko-kimia sabun. Formula 3 (gliserin 15%) merupakan sediaan terbaik berdasarkan evaluasi keseluruhan. Uji antibakteri menunjukkan bahwa keempat formula sabun kertas VCO (F1-F4) memiliki aktivitas antibakteri sedang terhadap Staphylococcus aureus dengan diameter zona hambat yang tidak berbeda signifikan secara statistik. Kontrol negatif tidak menunjukkan aktivitas, sedangkan kontrol positif menunjukkan aktivitas antibakteri kuat. Kesimpulan: Dapat disimpulkan bahwa sabun kertas VCO berhasil diformulasi dan memiliki aktivitas antibakteri sedang terhadap Staphylococcus aureus. Variasi konsentrasi gliserin (0-20%) tidak memberikan pengaruh signifikan terhadap aktivitas antibakteri, yang diduga lebih dipengaruhi oleh kandungan asam laurat dalam VCO.