Antibacterial activity of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia l.) leaf extract against Aeromonas hydrophila

Abstract

Bacterial resistance against antibiotic in the field of fisheries is mainly caused by the wide usage of antibiotics over the last decade, allowing the bacteria to mutate to adapt against the antibiotic. The most common bacteria that infected freshwater fish is Aeromonas hydrophila, which is now resistant to mostantibiotics. Bacterial resistance against antibiotics is a problem that can be handled by phytopharmaco; one of them is the bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) leaf which has antibacterial properties. The aim of this study was to find out the antibacterial activity of the bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). The parameters observed were antibacterial activity determined from the inhibition zone around the paper disc and the minimal concentration required which produced the biggest inhibition zone. The minimal concentration of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) leaf extract that produced the biggest inhibition zone against Aeromonas hydrophila based on the CLSI M-45 category was 5 mg/ml with an inhibition zone diameter of 12.3 mm. This is categorized into the intermediate category. The intermediate category indicates that bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) leaf extracts with the concentrations used in this study wasn't effective enough to be used as an antibacterial substance.