Antibacterial Activity and Active Fraction of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link ex A., and Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm. Against Propionibacterium acnes

Background: Propionibacterium acnes is a commensal bacteria that play a role in developing acne vulgaris on the skin. Antibacterial activity assay in the last decades have shown that Propionibacterium acnes is resistant to several antibiotics. Potential zingiber genera such as Z. officinale, Z. montanum, and Z. zerumbet have potential as antibacterial. Objective: This study aims to compare the antibacterial activity of Z. officinale, Z. montanum and Z. zerumbet against Propionibacterium acnes, the active fraction, and the components of the active fraction of the plant. Materials and Methods: Antibacterial activity test using agar diffusion method, extracts with high antibacterial activity were partitioned with water: n-hexane, n-hexane: methanol, water: ethyl acetate. The fraction was tested for antibacterial activity against P. acnes. The active fraction obtained was identified for its phytochemical content using TLC and GC-MS methods. Results: The results of the antibacterial activity test of Z. officinale extract had a larger inhibition zone. The test results of the active fraction Z. officinale had a higher activity than the extract. The results of screening using the GC-MS method obtained that the main components identified from Z. officinale were volatile oil components (α-curcumene, α-zingiberene and zingerone) and oleoresin (6-shogaol). Conclusion: Extracts of Z. officinale, Z. montanum and Z. zerumbet had antibacterial activity against P. acnes. The highest antibacterial activity in Z. officinale both extract and ethyl acetate fraction which is known to contain terpenoids and oleoresin compounds (6-shogaol).

Key words: Antibacterial, Zingiber officinale, Zingiber montanum, Zingiber zerumbeth, Propionibacterium acnes.