Muntingia calabura Ethanolic Fruit Extract as an Alternative Antibacterial Agent Against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Many medical researchers have scientifically proven that Muntingia Calabura possesses various antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties through its leaves, stem, and roots that were used a lot in past studies and are proven effective against pathogens such as Staphylococcus Aureus. Still, the fruit has not been studied yet. In this paper, we aim to prove that the ethanolic fruit extract of Muntingia Calabura is efficient and can be utilized as an antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus Aureus. The experimental method, a type of quantitative research, was the design used in this study. The 80g of Muntingia calabura were sun-dried until crisps, then pulverized and soaked to 480 ml ethanol. The extract was filtered using Whatman filter paper after 36 hours and rotary evaporated afterward. The disc diffusion method was used to test the efficacy of M. calabura fruit extract against Staphylococcus aureus. The study's results showed that the ethanolic fruit extract of Muntingia Calabura (also known as Saresa) had demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus, with an antimicrobial index of 0.8 and 18mm zone of inhibition. However, it is clear from the research that Chloramphenicol, a commercially available antibacterial drug, is more effective in reducing the growth of Staphylococcus Aureus than the ethanolic extract of Muntingia Calabura. The results show sufficient evidence through analysis and careful interpretation that the Muntingia Calabura efficiently reduces the growth of Staphylococcus Aureus.