Journal of Horticulture
Open Access

Abstract

Antimicrobial effects of Indonesian Medicinal Plants Extracts on Planktonic and Biofilm Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Sylvia U.T. Pratiwi, Ellen L. Lagendijk, Triana Hertiani, S. de Weert and Cornellius A.M.J.J. Van Den Hondel

Nowadays it is known that resistance to antibiotics is often caused by biofilm formation of the microbial pathogen. The aim of this study is to evaluate the activity of Indonesian medicinal plants extracts on planktonic growth and biofilm of two bacteria species. Fifty-four (54) ethanol extracts were obtained from a variety of known Indonesian medicinal plants. The growth inhibitory concentration (MIC), effects on biofilm formation and biofilm breakdown, and biofilm architecture in the absence and presence of the extracts by confocal laser-scanning microscopy were performed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. The extracts showed an inhibitory effect on planktonic growth of these bacteria and also on their biofilm formation. At a concentration as low as 0.12 mg/mL, biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa PAO1 and S. aureus Cowan I is inhibited by 5 plant ethanol extracts Kaempferia rotunda L., Caesalpinia sappan L., Cinnamomum burmanii Nees ex Bl., C. sintoc L., and Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f. The limited bacteriostatic activity was evident. The results obtained clearly indicate the extracts obtained are interesting sources of putative antibiofilm agents. This research can contribute to the development of new strategies to prevent and treat biofilm infections.