Antibacterial Potential of Sarang Semut Herbal Extract (Myrmecodia pendans) from Timor Against Staphylococcus aureus: An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND- The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to antibiotics is still a problem in clinical medicine. The potential of Ant-nest plant extract (Myrmecodia pendans) from the island of Timor as an antibacterial needs to be tested to be used as a new alternative. OBJECTIVE- This study aims to determine the antibacterial potential and dose level of Myrmecodia pendans extract from Timor as bacteriostatic and bactericidal bacteria against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. METHOD- This study is an experimental study, using five doses of Myrmecodia pendans extract from Timor, namely positive control (cephalexin drug) and negative control (200 μl ethanol 95% + 50 μl DMSO), concentration 62.5 mg/ml (P1), concentration 125 mg/ml (P2), concentration 250 mg/ml (P3), concentration 500 mg/ml (P4), and concentration 1000 mg/ml (P5), with five replications each. Samples of Myrmecodia pendans, taken from Nonbaun Village, Central Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency, Mauleum Village, East Amanuban District, and Oenae Village, Kie District, South Central Timor Regency. The Kupang City Food and Drug Control Center obtained the test bacteria. Data were obtained and analyzed using the Standard Plate Count (SPC) method. The SPC value of each treatment was compared with the SPC value of the control treatment. RESULTS- The results of the analysis showed that the positive control treatment (0), negative control, and concentration treatment of 62.5 mg/ml (P1) had too much bacterial growth value (TBUD). Conversely, treatment with concentrations of 125 mg/ml (P2) and 250 mg/ml (P3) has a Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) value of 9.4 x 104 CFU / ml and 6.7 x 104 CFU / ml, respectively. Treatment with concentrations of 500 mg/ml (P4) and 1000 mg/ml (P5) can both kill bacteria with a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) value of 0. CONCLUSION- Myrmecodia pendans extract from Timor Island has bacteriostatic potential (inhibits) the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria at a concentration of at least 125 mg/ml and potentially bactericidal (deadly) at a concentration of at least 500 mg/ml.