Phytochemical Screening, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Study of Ethanol Extract Of Gelinggang Leaf (Senna alata L. Roxb)

Abstract

Gelinggang is a powerful plant that has shown promise in treating skin infections caused by bacteria and fungi in traditional medicine. This study aimed to determine the class of secondary metabolites contained in the ethanol extract of gelinggang leaves and to determine its antimicrobial activity. Maceration with 96% ethanol yielded the extract, which was then tested for antibacterial activity using disc diffusion. We employed Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans fungi for this antimicrobial activity study at 300, 600, and 1200 mg/ml. The findings of the phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract of gelinggang leaves confirmed the presence of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and steroids, confirming the validity of the research. The results of the antimicrobial activity test had the maximum apparent zone diameter for Staphylococcus aureus bacteria found at a concentration of 1200 with an evident zone diameter of 17.4 mm, and Escherichia coli was found at a concentration of 1200 with a diameter of 11.5 mm. Candida albicans fungus was present at a concentration of 1200 with a diameter of 14.8mm.