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Pembuatan Gel Antiseptik Berbasis Ekstrak Etanol Buah Rhizophora apiculata sebagai Alternatif Antibakteri terhadap Staphylococcus aureus dan Escherichia coli: Studi In Vitro

Introduction

Pembuatan gel antiseptik berbasis ekstrak etanol buah rhizophora apiculata sebagai alternatif antibakteri terhadap staphylococcus aureus dan escherichia coli: studi in vitro. Temukan potensi gel antiseptik alami berbasis ekstrak buah Rhizophora apiculata. Efektif hambat Staphylococcus aureus dan Escherichia coli, dengan formulasi 15% paling optimal. Ideal untuk hand sanitizer ramah lingkungan.

Abstract

Rhizophora apiculata is a mangrove species whose fruit is known to contain secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and steroids, which have potential as natural antibacterial agents. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of hand sanitizer gel formulated with ethanol extract of R. apiculata fruit using the disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and to determine the best formulation among three extract concentrations: F1 (5%), F2 (10%), and F3 (15%). Extraction was carried out by maceration using 96% ethanol, yielding an extract with a rendement of 37.5%. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, terpenoids, and steroids. Antibacterial activity tests showed inhibition zones against S. aureus of 4.20 mm, 4.20 mm, and 4.35 mm for F1, F2, and F3, respectively, and against E. coli of 4.23 mm, 4.33 mm, and 4.37 mm. The F3 formulation, with 15% extract, exhibited the highest antibacterial activity and was determined to be the most effective. With stable physical characteristics, skin-safe pH, and proven antibacterial activity, R. apiculata fruit extract shows great potential as an active ingredient in eco-friendly hand sanitizer formulations.

Review

This study presents an interesting investigation into the development of an antiseptic hand sanitizer gel derived from the ethanol extract of *Rhizophora apiculata* fruit, assessing its antibacterial activity against *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Escherichia coli*. The research addresses a relevant need for natural, eco-friendly alternatives in hygiene products, leveraging the known rich secondary metabolite profile of mangrove species. The authors systematically extracted the fruit components, confirmed the presence of key bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and tannins through phytochemical screening, and formulated the extract into a gel at three different concentrations, providing a clear methodology for evaluation. A significant strength of the work is the clear demonstration of antibacterial activity across all tested formulations. The *in vitro* disk diffusion assay consistently showed inhibition zones against both Gram-positive (*S. aureus*) and Gram-negative (*E. coli*) bacteria, confirming the potential of *R. apiculata* extract as an antibacterial agent. The finding that the 15% extract formulation (F3) exhibited the highest activity, albeit marginally, suggests a dose-dependent effect and indicates the optimal concentration within the tested range. Furthermore, the mention of stable physical characteristics and a skin-safe pH for the formulated gel highlights careful product development and indicates promising suitability for topical application. While the study provides valuable preliminary data, the abstract could benefit from more detailed reporting on the experimental controls. Specifically, the reported inhibition zones (around 4mm) would gain more context if compared to a standard positive control (e.g., a commercial antiseptic or a known antimicrobial agent) to better gauge the extract's comparative efficacy. Future research should consider providing such comparative data, investigating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, and exploring the specific mechanisms by which these natural compounds exert their antibacterial effects. Despite these minor points, the research successfully establishes *Rhizophora apiculata* fruit extract as a promising candidate for an active ingredient in sustainable hand sanitizer formulations.

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