Antibacterial Activity of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Fibrous Strands Ethanolic Extract Against Escherichia coli

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fibrous strands extracts' antibacterial activity has been explored and tested on different bacteria. However, it has not been tested against Escherichia coli. In this study, the researchers explored the potential antibacterial activity of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fibrous of ethanolic extract against Escherichia coli and differentiated it from commercialized medicine (Chloramphenicol). The experimental method, a type of quantitative research, was used in this study to determine the antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of Pumpkin Fibrous Strands against Escherichia coli. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the zone of inhibition of bacterial growth of Escherichia coli. The researchers used the Antimicrobial Index formula to statistically analyze the ethanolic extract of Pumpkin Fibrous Strands and Chloramphenicol. The study's results revealed that the pumpkin fibrous strand extract lacked any inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli, as evident from the absence of a zone of inhibition. Compared to the positive control, Chloramphenicol, the pumpkin extract proved ineffective in inhibiting the targeted microorganisms. One of the implications that affect the efficacy of plant-based extract is the preparation of the extract. After conducting a thorough investigation and analyzing the evidence carefully, the researchers have concluded that the results that the study produced showed that Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fibrous strands of ethanolic extract showed no activity as an antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli and can not be used as an alternative to commercialized medicine. About the results and objective of the study, the researchers suggest that future researchers can do a further analysis of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fibrous strands' phytochemical properties as well as look for other possible uses of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fibrous strands.