Acne is a skin problem that occurs when the place where hair grows is
clogged with oil and dead skin cells. The bacteria that causes acne is
Staphylococcus epidermidis. Juwet leaves (Syzygium cumini) are known to have
antibacterial activity. The purpose of the study was to determine the antibacterial
activity and effective concentration of juwet leaf ethanol extract in inhibiting the
growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and the compound content of juwet leaf
ethanol extract.
Juwet leaves were extracted using the maceration method with 96%
ethanol solvent followed by a phytochemical screening test with a qualitative
analysis of the tube test and TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) test. Antibacterial
activity test using well diffusion method with Nutrient Agar media with
concentrations of juwet leaf extract 30%, 35%, 40%, 50%, 75%, positive control
using clindamycin and negative control using DMSO then incubated at 37oC for
24 hours and then observed clear zone formed.
The yield of ethanol extract of juwet leaves obtained was 29.42%. The
results of qualitative identification of chemical compounds ethanol extract of juwet
leaves contain alkaloids, phenolic compounds, steroids and saponins. The
inhibition zones at concentrations of 30%, 35%, 40%, 50% and 75% against
Staphylococcus epidermidis were 17.3 mm; 19.2 mm; 18.5mm; 19.8mm; and
21.0 mm were significantly different from the positive control.
Keywords: Acne, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Syzygium cumini