Antibacterial Activities of Ethanol Extract of Karamunting (Melastoma malabathricum L.) Leaf and Flowers on Bacteria Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Karamunting (Melastoma malabathricum Linn) is native spesies from Borneo. This plant is easily found in Borneo as shrub. M. malabathricum L has not been used optimally, only considered a pest. M. malabathricum L contains flavonoid, saponin, tanin and alkoloid, which serve as antibacterial agents. In this study we tested the antibacterial activity of M. malabathricum L leaves and flowers against bacteria Salmonella typhi ATCC 14028, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Testing of antibacterial activity using diffusion method by measuring the inhibition zone formed around the paper disk. The results of phytochemical scheming of ethanol extract of the leaves indicates M. malabathricum L to contain flavonoid, saponin, tannin, and alkaloid, and flowers to emit flavonoid, saponin and tannin. Profoundly, its ethanolic exttract of the leaves have the antibacterial agents respectively lead to the most effective inhibitory effect 28.2 mm in diameter on Salmonella typhi, and that of its flowers of 27.2 mm on Escherichia coli.