EFEKTIVITAS EKSTRAK DAUN CENGKEH (Syzygium aromaticum) DALAM MENGHAMBAT PERTUMBUHAN Candida albicans SECARA IN VITRO

Candida albicans fungal infection is one of the most common health problems. Continuous use of synthetic antifungals can cause side effects such as organ disorders and the emergence of resistance, so alternative treatments based on natural ingredients are needed. One of the plants that has the potential as an antifungal is clove leaves (Syzygium aromaticum), which contain active compounds such as eugenol, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Objective: to determine the effectiveness of clove leaf extract in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. Samples were tested with three variations of extract concentration, namely 20%, 30%, and 40%. The positive control used 2% ketoconazole, while the negative control used DMSO. The growth medium used was Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Results: the study showed that the higher the concentration of clove leaf extract, the greater the diameter of the inhibition zone formed against the growth of Candida albicans. The concentration of 40% showed the highest effectiveness, with a significant difference compared to other concentrations (p <0.05). Conclusion: clove leaf extract has been shown to have antifungal activity against Candida albicans, especially at high concentrations. These results support the use of clove leaves as an alternative natural antifungal