Antibacterial Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Fruit Against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Plants are valuable sources of biologically active chemicals, particularly phenolic compounds with strong antibacterial properties. Morus nigra, commonly known as Black Mulberry, is one such plant that possesses a high total phenolic compound level and has antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Thus, this research aimed to identify the antibacterial activity of the Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) fruit and created an extract that can be used as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus Aureus. This study used an experimental method to determine the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of the Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) against Staphylococcus Aureus. The agar diffusion method was used to determine the zone of inhibition of bacterial growth to determine the resistance or the susceptibility of the pathogen created by the extract. The Antimicrobial Index formula was used by the researchers to statistically analyze the ethanolic extract of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) fruit and commercially available products. The result showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus with an Antimicrobial Index (AI) of 0.6, and the diameter of inhibition zones was 16,14, and 17 millimeters for the Ethanolic Extract of Black Mulberry (Morus Nigra) Fruit.

Furthermore, the sample showed that the commercially available product (Chloramphenicol) with an Al of 4.0 and diameter inhibition zones was 30 millimeters is partially more efficient in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus Aureus than the ethanolic extract of Black Mulberry (Morus Nigra) fruit. The results showed that the Ethanolic extract of Black Mulberry (Morus Nigra) fruit was found to have an antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus Aureus with an Antimicrobial Index (AI) of 0.6. The sample exhibited the largest zone of inhibition with 17mm concluding that the efficacy was Intermediate. Additionally, efficacy was significantly different between the commercialized medicine (Chloramphenicol) and the formulated concentration (Black mulberry fruit extract).