The Impact of <i>Pluchea indica L.</i> Leaf Ethanol Extract on In Vitro Biofilms of Microorganisms that are Associated with Water Pollution

Abstract The presence of Escherichia coli is one of the microbiological indicators of water pollution. By forming biofilms, these bacteria possess the capacity to tolerate and adapt to very challenging conditions. In terms of water contamination, the formation of Escherichia coli biofilms is very important. Co-infection with Candida albicans , which can also form biofilms, can worsen the situation. The etanol extract of Pluchea indica L. leaves contains flavonoids, which are bioactive substances with antibiofilm potential, along with tannins, saponins, terpenoids, and fenolic acid. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of etanol extract from Pluchea indica L. leaves as an antibiofilm agent in Escherichia coli and Candida albicans . This study was conducted using the Microtitter Plate Biofilm Assay method by reading the optical density (OD) value using a microplate reader with a wavelength of 595 nm. The results of this study indicate that increasing the concentration of extract will cause a decrease in biofilm as indicated by a decrease in OD. With the One-Way ANOVA test, p = 0.000. This study concludes that the extract of Pluchea indica L. leaves has the capacity to inhibit microbial biofilms of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans .