ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY TEST OF MORINGA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST THE GROWTH OF ESCHERICHIA COLI BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE FECES OF CHILDREN WITH STUNTING

Abstrak

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the human intestine, but some types can cause infections, one of which is diarrhea. E. coli infections often occur through contaminated food or water, and are high risk in children. Recurrent diarrhea due to E. coli can interfere with nutrient absorption and be one of the factors causing stunting. The continuous use of antibiotics triggers resistance problems, so research focuses on natural ingredients as antibacterials, such as moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera). Moringa leaves are rich in active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols. This study aims to test the inhibitory effect of moringa leaf extract on the growth of E. coli (isolated from the feces of stunted children). The extract was obtained through maceration with 70% ethanol. The test was conducted using the liquid dilution method with eight concentration variations (0.25% to 40%) to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (aMIC). The results showed that moringa leaf extract effectively inhibited the growth of E. coli. The MIC was found at a concentration of 20%, which was the lowest concentration that did not show turbidity. These results prove the potential of moringa leaf extract as a promising natural antibacterial agent to be developed as an alternative herbal medicine.