Antibacterial Activity of Chlorophyll c from Sargassum polycytum against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E.coli)

In this study, chlorophyll c, extracted from Sargassum polycystum using a rapid maceration method, was investigated for its antibacterial properties against multi-drug resistant (MDR) E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The extract was fractionated with diethyl ether, and chlorophyll c was isolated using preparative thin-layer chromatography. UV-Vis spectrophotometry and FTIR confirmed the identity of chlorophyll c, revealing functional groups such as aldehyde, ester, C-H, OH, and hydroxyl groups. The antibacterial activity was tested using the agar well diffusion method. Against MRSA, chlorophyll c showed an inhibition zone of 10.13mm at 0.2%, increasing to 11.25 mm at 0.4%, compared to ciprofloxacin's 13.34 mm. For MDR E. coli, the inhibition zones were smaller, with 7.93 mm at 0.2%, 8.99mm at 0.3%, and 9.86mm at 0.4%, compared to 10.21mm for ciprofloxacin. The results suggest chlorophyll c exhibits greater antibacterial activity against MRSA than MDR E. coli, highlighting its potential as a natural antibacterial agent.