UJI AKTIVITAS ANTIBAKTERI EKSTRAK BUAH SENGGANI (Melastoma malabathricum L) TERHADAP BAKTERI Escherichia Coli

The back ground and the aim of research Escherichia coli is one of the bacteria that causes diarrhea, and increasing antibiotic resistance has prompted the search for natural antibacterials. Senggani fruit (Melastoma malabathricum L.) is known to contain secondary metabolites with antibacterial potential. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of 96% ethanol extract of senggani fruit against the growth of Escherichia coli. Method The study used a Quasi-Experimental design with a Post-Test Control Group Design. Senggani fruit was extracted using the maceration method using 96% ethanol. Antibacterial activity was tested using the disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton Agar media using extract concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%; ciprofloxacin as a positive control and DMSO as a negative control. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Levene, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney tests. Result Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and steroids. The average diameter of the inhibition zone at concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% was 3.73±0.30 mm, 5.20±0.35 mm, 6.45±0.31 mm, and 10.18±0.27 mm, respectively. Ciprofloxacin produced an inhibition zone of 29.68±0.69 mm, while DMSO showed no inhibition. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed a significant difference between groups (p=0.000). Conclusion Senggani fruit extract (Melastoma malabathricum L) has antibacterial activity against the growth of Escherichia coli. The higher the concentration of the extract, the greater the inhibitory effect, with a concentration of 80% being the most effective.