Abstract:

This study aims to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Indonesian propolis extracts against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging method. Antibacterial activity of propolis extracts against MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) was tested using the Kirby Bauer agar diffusion method. At concentration of 100%-15.525%, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of vitamin C is higher than that of the ethanol, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate extract. At a concentration of 7,8125%, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the ethanol extract is 37,170%, n-hexane at 38,310% and ethyl acetate at 36,807%. H2O2 scavenging activities of the three propolis extracts are higher than that of vitamin C (86.642%), in which the scavenging activity for a fraction of 7.813 ug/mL n-hexane is 94.925%, ethanol extract at 94.617% and ethyl acetate fraction at 87.608%. Ethanol extract of 500 ug/mL propolis has the highest total phenol level at 59.1250%. Ethanol and ethyl acetate fractions are capable of inhibiting all three types of bacteria. Ethanol fraction is only able to inhibit the growth of S. aureus and B.subtilis. The N-hexane fraction cannot inhibit all three types of bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts occur at a concentration of 4% (40 mg/mL) with 2-mm inhibition zone. Propolis extract contains phenols and can scavenge free radicals and H2O2 and thus potentially inhibit oxidative stress. Ethyl acetate fraction of propolis has antibacterial activity which is greater than the ethanol and n-hexane fractions. In addition, propolis extract, ethanol fraction and ethyl acetate fraction are antibacterial against MRSA.

Keywords: