Efektivitas Ekstrak Etanol Kulit Semangka Merah (Citrullus lanatus) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Bakteri Staphylococcus aureus (In Vitro)

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that causes infections and exhibits resistance to several antibiotics. Red watermelon rind is known to contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins, which have antibacterial activity. The extract was obtained using the maceration method at concentrations of 3.125%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50%, with 0.2% Chlorhexidine gluconate as a positive control and Dimethyl sulfoxide as a negative control. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of red watermelon rind extract against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. The research was a laboratory experimental study with a post-test only control group design conducted in vitro. Antibacterial testing was performed using the disk diffusion method. The results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, which revealed significant inhibition zones (p=0.000; p<0.05) across all treatment groups. It was concluded that ethanol extract of red watermelon rind effectively inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones at concentrations of 1.56%: 6.16 mm, 3.125%: 9.45 mm, 6.25%: 10.63 mm, 12.5%: 15.25 mm, 25%: 16.81 mm, and 50%: 18.09 mm.