Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activity Test of the Ethanolic Extract of Jeluak (Microcos tomentosa (L.)) Leaves Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus / Skrining Fitokomia Dan Uji Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak etanol daun jeluak (Microcos tomentosa (L.)) Terhadap Bakteri Escherichia coli dan Staphyloccocus aureus

Background: Bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli remain major public health problems. Resistance to conventional antibiotics has driven the search for alternative antibacterial agents from natural sources. Jeluak leaves (Microcos tomentosa L.) have been traditionally used as an antimicrobial, yet scientific evidence regarding their antibacterial activity is limited. Objective: This study aimed to perform phytochemical screening and evaluate the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of Jeluak leaves against E. coli and S. aureus. Methods: This was an experimental laboratory study. Extraction was carried out by maceration using 96% ethanol. Phytochemical screening included tests for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and glycosides. Antibacterial activity was tested using the disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton Agar at extract concentrations of 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70%. Chloramphenicol and DMSO were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Inhibition zone diameters were measured after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and glycosides. The extract produced inhibition zones against E. coli of 6.3 mm, 9.3 mm, 12.2 mm, and 13.61 mm, and against S. aureus of 7.51 mm, 10.7 mm, 12.7 mm, and 14.28 mm, respectively. According to CLSI 2020 criteria, the 70% concentration was categorized as intermediate, while concentrations of 10–50% were resistant. The positive control was sensitive against both bacteria. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Jeluak leaves (Microcos tomentosa L.) possesses antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, with higher effectiveness against S. aureus than E. coli. Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids are suggested to contribute to the antibacterial mechanism

Latar belakang: Infeksi bakteri akibat Staphylococcus aureus dan Escherichia coli masih menjadi masalah kesehatan utama. Resistensi terhadap antibiotik konvensional mendorong pencarian agen antibakteri alternatif dari bahan alam. Daun jeluak (Microcos tomentosa L.) diketahui secara tradisional memiliki khasiat antimikroba, namun bukti ilmiah mengenai aktivitas antibakterinya masih terbatas. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan skrining fitokimia serta menguji aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak etanol daun jeluak terhadap E. coli dan S. aureus. Metode: Penelitian bersifat eksperimental laboratorium. Ekstraksi dilakukan secara maserasi menggunakan etanol 96%. Skrining fitokimia meliputi uji alkaloid, flavonoid, tanin, saponin, steroid, dan glikosida. Uji aktivitas antibakteri menggunakan metode difusi cakram pada media Mueller Hinton Agar dengan konsentrasi ekstrak 10%, 30%, 50%, dan 70%. Kontrol positif berupa kloramfenikol dan kontrol negatif DMSO. Diameter zona hambat diukur setelah inkubasi 24 jam pada suhu 37°C. Hasil: Skrining fitokimia menunjukkan ekstrak etanol daun jeluak mengandung alkaloid, flavonoid, tanin, saponin, steroid, dan glikosida. Ekstrak memberikan zona hambat terhadap E. coli berturut-turut sebesar 6,3 mm, 9,3 mm, 12,2 mm, dan 13,61 mm, serta terhadap S. aureus sebesar 7,51 mm, 10,7 mm, 12,7 mm, dan 14,28 mm. Berdasarkan kategori CLSI 2020, konsentrasi 70% termasuk kategori intermediet, sedangkan konsentrasi 10–50% tergolong resisten. Kontrol positif menunjukkan kategori sensitif terhadap kedua bakteri. Kesimpulan: Ekstrak etanol daun jeluak (Microcos tomentosa L.) memiliki aktivitas antibakteri terhadap E. coli dan S. aureus dengan efektivitas yang lebih tinggi terhadap S. aureus dibandingkan E. coli. Kandungan metabolit sekunder seperti flavonoid, tanin, dan alkaloid diduga berperan dalam mekanisme antibakteri tersebut.