Effectiveness Test and Phytochemical Screening of Ethanol Extract of Cashew Leaf (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) against Bacillus cereus

Abstract

Indonesia is a tropical country that has very abundant biodiversity and great potential to explore its benefits in the health sector, including as a source of natural antibacterial ingredients. One of the potential plants is cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), which is known to be able to grow in an environment with a dry climate, the leaves have long been used in traditional medicine and have antibacterial activity. This study aims to assess the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value and effectiveness of cashew leaf ethanol extract against Bacillus cereus bacteria, as well as the identification of phytochemical compound groups. The methods used include well diffusion for MIC test from 1%-0.025% concentration and effectiveness test from 5%-20% concentration, as well as qualitative phytochemical screening to identify active compound groups in the extract. The results showed the MIC value obtained at a concentration of 0.05% inhibition zone of 5.93 mm. The antibacterial effectiveness test of 5-20% concentration increased as the concentration increased. Phytochemical screening identified the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids. These results indicate the potential of cashew leaf extract as a natural antibacterial agent against B. cereus