Isolation of endophytic bacteria from nutmeg plant as antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

Recently, exploration of natural antibiotic alternatives by utilizing medicinal plants is often carried out. Nutmeg plant (Myristica fragrans Houtt) is a tropical plant endemic to the Maluku Island and often used as medicine by local people. This study was aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from the nutmeg plant and detect its potential as an antibacterial against pathogenic bacteria. The study is a descriptive observational study with a true experimental approach. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from several organs of the nutmeg plant such as leaves, leaf bones, stems, fruit flesh, and seeds and then tested for their inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium acne, and Escherichia coli. The results showed that: (1) the highest total population of endophytic bacteria was found in the seeds of nutmeg (7.5x104 CFU/ml), (2) ten isolates of endophytic bacteria were obtained with varying morphological characteristics, and (3) the detection of antibacterial activity showed that of the 10 isolates obtained, 4 isolates were able to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, namely isolate BEAD2, BEATD1, BEABJ 2, and BEABJ 1 with the diameter of the inhibition zones of each isolate being 3.4 mm, 3.2 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.5 mm respectively. The conclusion of this study is that 4 isolates of endophytic bacteria were detected as potential antibacterial against Escherichia coli.

The potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from atung fruit seeds as antibacterial against skin pathogens

“…According to the research conducted by Zulkifli et al (2018), endophytic bacteria isolated from sugar apple stem bark (Annona squamosa) has the potential as an antibacterial against the growth of S. aureus, E. coli, and B. cereus with an inhibition zone diameter ranging from 7-48 mm. Another research conducted by Yunita et al, (2022b) found that endophytic bacteria isolated from nutmeg plant were able to inhibit E. coli and S. aureus with the largest inhibition zone around 22.5 and 23.8, respectively. Unfortunately, there is no publication that can be accessed regarding the ability of endophytic bacteria from atung fruit seeds against skin pathogens, particularly MDR bacteria.…”