Antibacterial Activities of n-Hexane and Ethyl Acetate Extracts from young leaves of Red Lip (Syzygium myrtifolium (Roxb.) Walp.)

Syzygium myrtifolium, commonly known as pucuk merah in Indonesia, is not only an ornamental plant but also has the potential as a source of antibacterial raw material. Despite several studies reporting its antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi, the antibacterial potential of its young leaf extract remains largely unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of the leaf extract using two solvents with different polarities, namely n-hexane and ethyl acetate, and to determine their respective yield values. The sequential maceration method was employed to extract the bioactive compounds from the young leaves. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract had a higher yield value (17.71%) compared to the n-hexane extract (5.46%) and exhibited stronger antibacterial activity against all five bacteria at concentrations of 10% and 20%. The observed variability in antibacterial activity could be attributed to differences in the metabolite compositions of the two extracts, as the n-hexane extract lacked tannins and saponins, which are known to possess antibacterial properties. The findings of this study suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of young S. myrtifolium leaves may be a promising source of antibacterial agents, particularly against pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella sp., S. epidermidis, S. mutan, S. pyogenes, and P. acnes. However, further research is necessary to determine the exact mechanism of action and potential toxicity of these extracts before considering their use in medicine, cosmetics, or food industries.