Antimicrobial Activity of Terminalia Catappa L Leaves in Various Colors

Ketapang leaves, widely known for their antifungal properties, are traditionally extracted using organic solvents. However, this study aimed to demonstrate that it can be more accessible and practical to extract them with water. The study focused on the effect of leaf age (marked by its color) with water extraction on its antimicrobial ability. The results showed that ketapang leaf extract (Terminalia catappa L.) can inhibit the growth of microbes, both gram-positive, negative, and fungal growth. The effectiveness of the inhibition was higher in the inhibition of fungi. Young leaves (color light green) and old leaves (color red) are very effective in inhibiting fungal growth, higher than the dichloro control. The content of phenols and antioxidants is high compared to the other two leaf colors. At a concentration of 20% extract, it inhibited 100% of the growth of the fungus A. oligosporus.