Antibacterial Power of Guava Leaf Extract (Psidium guajava Linn) against Streptococcus pyogenes

Abstract

Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that can cause various diseases such as pharyngitis and other diseases. Some antibiotics for these bacteria such as tetracycline and erythromycin have high resistance rates. Empirically, guava leaf (Psidium guajava Linn) is widely used as an herbal medicine to cope with various diseases. Active compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids contained in that guava leaf have antibacterial effects. This research aims to determine the anti bacterial power of guava methanol extract (Psidium guajava Linn) on the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes. The research was done by experimental method, and the sample was from culture of Streptococcus pyogenes. The test material was in the form of methanol extract of guava leaf (Psidium guajava Linn) at 100% concentration with positive control that is bacitracin. The antibacterial power test was performed by the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method in Mueller-Hinton Agar, microdilution broth method and confirmation with streak which was performed four times. The antibacterial power results showed the formation of the drag zone at 100% concentration, as well as on the streak that has been performed dilution test showed the absence of colony at 50% concentration. The presence of antibacterial power due to guava leaf (Psidium guajava Linn) contains active substances namely flavonoids, tannins, saponins and alkaloids that can inhibit bacterial growth. The conclusion of this research is the methanol extract of guava leaf (Psidium guajava Linn) has antibacterial power against Streptococcus pyogenes.