ANTISEPTIC ACTIVITY EXAMINATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST ANAEROBIC BACTERIA CUTIBACTERIUM ACNES

Abstract

Moringa leaves (M. oleifera) contain chemicals beneficial as antibacterials for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This content can damage DNA and cell membranes, penetrate bacterial cell walls, disrupting bacterial metabolism and resulting in death. The bacteria used in this study were Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) an aerotolerant, anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria. This bacteria causes Acne vulgaris (acne), a skin disorder caused by blockage of the fat glands. This research was conducted to test the activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract as an antiseptic against C. acnes. The Percentage Kill test is used to determine the potential antiseptic activity of the extract. The comparison of growth of bacterial colonies on control and extract that grew on solid media was calculated according to the specified contact time. Kill test result are said to meet the criteria if the results obtained in each contact time are ≥90%. The Percentage Kill test results at 1, 2, and 5 minutes of contact with C. acnes bacteria are 59.7%, 72%, and 91.8%, respectively. These results indicate that at the 5th minute, moringa leaf extract can eradicate C.acnes bacteria effectively. This experiment demonstrates that the Percentage Kill test was ineffective in the first and second minutes but became effective in the fifth minute.