Characterization, Screening, and Antibacterial Activity Assay of Ethanol Extract of Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm) Flowers Against Staphylococcus aureus / Karakterisasi, Skrining dan Uji Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak Etanol Bunga Kecombrang (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm) terhadap Staphylococcus aureus

Background: Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm) is a traditional medicinal plant with potential antibacterial properties due to its secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids. Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic bacterium causing various infections, and increasing antibiotic resistance necessitates alternative treatments. This study aims to explore the antibacterial potential of torch ginger flower ethanol extract against S. aureus. Objective: This research aimed to characterize the phytochemical content of torch ginger flowers, screen for bioactive compounds, and evaluate their antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Methods: The study employed an experimental design, including phytochemical screening, ethanol extraction (maceration), and antibacterial testing using the disk diffusion method at concentrations of 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90%. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids/triterpenoids, and glycosides. The ethanol extract exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus, with inhibition zones of 11.9 mm (weak) at 10%, 16.1 mm (moderate) at 30%, and 21.3–22.5 mm (strong) at 50–90%. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences (p < 0.05) between concentrations. Conclusion: Ethanol extract of torch ginger flowers demonstrated dose-dependent antibacterial activity against S. aureus, supporting its potential as a natural antibacterial agent.

Latar Belakang: Bunga kecombrang (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Sm) merupakan tanaman tradisional yang mengandung metabolit sekunder seperti flavonoid, tanin, dan terpenoid dengan aktivitas antibakteri. Staphylococcus aureus adalah bakteri patogen penyebab infeksi, dan resistensi antibiotik mendorong pencarian alternatif pengobatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak etanol bunga kecombrang terhadap S. aureus. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkarakterisasi kandungan fitokimia, melakukan skrining senyawa bioaktif, dan menguji aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak etanol bunga kecombrang terhadap S. aureus. Metode: Penelitian eksperimental meliputi skrining fitokimia, ekstraksi etanol (maserasi), dan uji antibakteri dengan metode difusi cakram pada konsentrasi 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, dan 90%. Data dianalisis menggunakan one-way ANOVA. Hasil: Skrining fitokimia menunjukkan adanya alkaloid, flavonoid, tanin, saponin, steroid/triterpenoid, dan glikosida. Ekstrak etanol menunjukkan aktivitas antibakteri terhadap S. aureus dengan zona hambat 11,9 mm (lemah) pada 10%, 16,1 mm (sedang) pada 30%, dan 21,3–22,5 mm (kuat) pada 50–90%. Analisis statistik menunjukkan perbedaan signifikan (p < 0,05) antar konsentrasi. Kesimpulan: Ekstrak etanol bunga kecombrang memiliki aktivitas antibakteri yang meningkat seiring konsentrasi, berpotensi sebagai agen antibakteri alami.