Formulation soap and antibacterial activity test of pulutan leaf (Urena lobata L.) extract hand soap against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

This study aims to determine the physicochemical characteristics (pH and viscosity) and antibacterial activity of hand soap containing pulutan leaf (Urena lobata L.) ethanol extract against Staphylococcus aureus. The study employed a laboratory experimental method with variations in pulutan leaf extract concentrations of 0%, 4%, 8%, 16%, and 25%. Testing included moisture content, yield, pH, viscosity, and antibacterial activity using the well diffusion method. The results of the study showed that the moisture content of the crude drug was 7.6% and the extract yield was 85.33%. The pH values of all formulations ranged from 4.71 to 5.55 and met the standards. The highest viscosity was observed in F0 at 1,592.3 cPs and in F1 at 742.19 cPs, both of which met the standards, while the other formulations did not meet the standards.  The highest viscosity was observed in F0 at 1,592.3 cPs and F1 at 742.19 cPs, which met the standard, while the other formulations did not meet the standard. Antibacterial activity showed an increase in inhibitory power as the extract concentration increased, namely F0 at 0.18 mm (weak), F1 at 8.42 mm (moderate), F2 at 9.16 mm (moderate), F3 at 10.33 mm (strong), and F4 at 14.11 mm (strong). Thus, pulutan leaf extract has the potential to serve as a natural antibacterial agent in hand soap.