Comparison study of methanol and ethanol extract of the leaves of Alphitonia incana (Roxb.) Teijsm. & Binn. ex Kurz as antiI-Staphylococcus epidermidis

Background: The treatment of acne infections using natural ingredients from Kalimantan, such as Balik Angin (Alphitonia incana (Roxb.) Teijsm. & Binn. ex Kurz), offers an alternative therapy. Research shows that leaves from the plant, when soxhleted with methanol and ethanol, can inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Objective: This research compared the effects of different solvents on the Soxhlet extraction of Balik Angin leaves in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Method: Balik Angin leaves were extracted using Soxhlet with methanol and 70% ethanol, followed by phytochemical screening. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the well diffusion method with sample concentrations ranging from 25.6% to 0.2%. Result: Both extracts contained the same phytochemicals: phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids. The methanol extract had an MIC of 0.4% with weak antibacterial activity. In contrast, the 70% ethanol extract had a MIC of 0.8% and exhibited more vigorous activity, resulting in an inhibition zone of 15.08±0.15 mm, compared to 7.30±0.16 mm for the methanol extract. Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference in inhibition zones for methanol extracts (p < 0.05), but no significant difference for ethanol extracts (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of different Soxhlet extraction solvents for Balik Angin leaves affects their activity as an anti-Staphylococcus epidermidis agent.