Abstract:
Kerangas forest is known as a source of tradi-
tional medicinal plants and thus potentially the source of
simplicia. Medicinal plant preparations of simplicia are usu-
ally dried to meet water content standards (< 10%). However,
in some cases the drying process carried out still does not
eliminate the microbial content in the simplicia. This study
aims to analyze the phytochemical compounds contained
in three types of medicinal plant simplicia and the total
microbial content by treatment with ultraviolet (UV) irra-
diation. The types of simplicia used were Baeckea frutescens
leaves, Shorea balangeran bark and Vitex pubescens leaves
(obtained from the kerangas forest). Before testing the total
microbial content, simplicia first received UV irradiation.
The first simplicia sample was not irradiated, while the next
simplicia sample was given UV irradiation with a power of
60 watts and an irradiation time of 1, 2 and 4 h. The micro-
bial content test used the total plate count method with the
pour plate analysis technique. S. balangeran is unexposed
species to microbes, even without UV irradiation. Radiation
with a UV lamp for 1 h with a lamp power of 60 watts and
a distance of the sample with a lamp of 30 cm effectively
eliminates microbes in B. frutescens simplicia. Radiation
for 4 h with a UV lamp of 60 watts and a sample distance
of 30 cm was only able to eliminate the microbial content
in V. pubescens simplicia. The results of this study indicate
that S. balangeran has high potential to be developed as an
antibacterial.
