Comparison of The Antifungal Activity of Ethanol, N-Hexane, and Acetone Extracts of Purple Leaf (Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff) Against Candida albicans

Background: Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus causing candidiasis, and its rising resistance to antifungal agents highlights the need for alternative therapies from natural sources. Purple leaf (Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff.) is known to contain bioactive compounds with potential antifungal activity. Aim: This study aimed to compare the antifungal activity of ethanol, n-hexane, and acetone extracts of purple leaf against Candida albicans. Methode: The leaves were extracted by maceration using 96% ethanol, n-hexane, and acetone, followed by phytochemical screening and antifungal testing using the disc diffusion method at concentrations of 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 20%. Result: Screening showed that all three extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, and terpenoids, but tested negative for steroids. The assay showed the ethanol extract produced the largest inhibition zone 9.62 mm, followed by acetone 7.19 mm and n-hexane 4.02 mm. The highest inhibition zone against Candida albicans was obtained from the 20% ethanol extract of purple leaves (Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff), with an inhibition zone diameter of 9.62 mm. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a significant difference among treatments (p (p<0.001), confirmed by the Dunn-Bonferroni test. This activity is presumed related to secondary metabolites that disrupt cell membrane integrity and inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida albicans. Conclusion: These results indicate that the ethanol extract of purple leaf had the strongest antifungal activity compared to the acetone and n-hexane extracts, suggesting its potential as a natural antifungal source.