Observation of the Antibacterial Potential of Aloe vera Extract against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

This study aims to determine the antibacterial potential of ethanol extract  of Aloe vera  leaf bark against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The research used a laboratory experimental method with a disc diffusion test (Kirby–Bauer). Aloe vera  leaf bark simplicia powder is extracted using the maceration method with 96% ethanol solvent, then made in four treatment concentrations, namely 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The positive control used 1% chloramphenicol, while the negative control used 96% ethanol. The Staphylococcus aureus  bacterial suspension was adjusted to the McFarland standard of 0.5 and inoculated into the Nutrient Agar medium. The measurement of the diameter of the inhibition zone was carried out after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C, and each treatment was repeated three times. The results showed that Aloe vera extract at concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 75% produced an inhibitor diameter of 1.98 mm; 1.77 mm; and 3.72 mm respectively which were in the very weak category. The 100% concentration results in an inhibition zone of 5.10 mm and belongs to the moderate category based on the criteria of Davis and Stout (1971). Positive control results in an inhibition zone of 27.90 mm, while negative control does not exhibit significant inhibition activity. These results suggest that the higher the concentration of the extract, the greater the inhibition produced, although its antibacterial effectiveness is still limited. Thus, ethanol extract of Aloe vera leaf bark has the potential as an antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, but it cannot match the effectiveness of standard antibacterial, so it is necessary to optimize the extraction method or purification of the active compound to increase its activity.