UJI EFEKTIVITAS GEL EKSTRAK DAUN MELINJO (Gnetum gnemon L.) TERHADAP Staphylococcus epidermidis

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of melinjo leaf extract gel (Gnetum gnemon L.) in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria and the optimal concentration of melinjo leaf extract gel in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Melinjo leaves were extracted using the maceration method with 96% ethanol and formulated into gel preparations at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. Antibacterial activity testing was conducted using the paper disk method on Nutrient Agar (NA) medium inoculated with the test bacteria, with clindamycin as the positive control and gel base as the negative control. The results showed that melinjo leaf extract gel was effective in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. The optimal concentration of melinjo leaf extract gel that could inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis was 3%, with an average inhibition zone diameter of 14.43 mm, categorized as strong.