Effectiveness of Ethanol Extract of Etlingera balikpapanensis Rhizome as an Antibiofilm Against Staphylococcus aureus MRSA In Vitro

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, particularly in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), represents a major challenge in the management of infectious diseases due to the ability of this pathogen to form biofilms that significantly enhance antimicrobial tolerance. Biofilm formation contributes to treatment failure and persistent infections, highlighting the need for alternative strategies, including natural antibiofilm agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of the ethanolic extract of Etlingera balikpapanensis rhizome against MRSA in vitro, to assess the effect of different extract concentrations on biofilm formation, and to determine the effective concentration for biofilm inhibition. This research employed an in vitro laboratory experimental design. The rhizome was extracted using the maceration method with 96% ethanol, followed by phytochemical screening and antibiofilm evaluation using the microtiter plate assay with crystal violet staining. The extract was tested at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 mg/mL with incubation periods of 24, 48, and 72 h. The results demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of E. balikpapanensis rhizome contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and tannins, and exhibited antibiofilm activity against MRSA at all tested concentrations and incubation times. Biofilm inhibition increased in a concentration-dependent manner, with the 30 mg/mL extract showing the highest inhibitory effect and exceeding the MBIC₅₀ threshold. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of E. balikpapanensis rhizome has strong potential as a natural antibiofilm agent against MRSA, particularly during the early and early maturation stages of biofilm development.