Antibacterial Activity of Falcataria moluccana (L) Nielsen Leaf Extracts Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Abstract

Infectious diseases remain the most prevalent conditions globally, evolving constantly despite medical advancements. Research indicates that sengon (Falcataria moluccana) leaves contain phytochemical compounds with potential antibacterial activity. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of F. moluccana leaf extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the gel diffusion method. Samples were obtained using four solvents: distilled water, 70% ethanol, 96% ethanol, and ethyl acetate, with concentrations ranging from 50 to 300 mg/mL. Results indicated that aqueous extracts exhibited no inhibitory effect, whereas ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts demonstrated measurable antibacterial activity. The highest activity was observed in the ethyl acetate extract at 300 mg/mL, yielding inhibition zones of 6.90 mm and 4.97 mm for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, which are classified within the medium category. Consequently, F. moluccana leaf extracts, particularly ethyl acetate fractions, possess moderate antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The significant influence of solvent type and concentration suggests that non-polar or semi-polar compounds are primarily responsible for this bioactivity.