Abstract
This study is aimed at determining antibacterial activity from ethanol extracts and the most active fraction of cassava leaves against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes. Research carried out by the experimental method involved determination of plants, extraction with maceration method, fractionation with liquid-liquid extraction, antibacterial activity testing of extracts and fractions by agar diffusion method, determination of most active fraction from the extract, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) testing of most active fraction by microdilution method. The results showed that ethanol extracts of cassava leaves had antibacterial activity against both bacteria with the most active fraction indicated by ethyl acetate. MIC values of ethyl acetate fraction against S. epidermidis were in the concentration range of 2.5%-5.0% (w/v) and against P. acnes were in the concentration range of 1.25%-2.5% (w/v). The MBC value of ethyl acetate fraction against S. epidermidis was at a concentration of 5% (w/v), while P. acnes was at a concentration of 2.5% (w/v). From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as on Propionibacterium acnes. The fraction with the best activity from the ethanol extract of cassava leaves to the two test bacteria was shown by ethyl acetate fraction. It is suggested that cassava leaves are possible to be developed into standardized antiacne herbal.