Potential of Macroalgae as Antifungal, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Substances in Supporting the Utilization of Marine Resources

Abstract

Macroalgae is known as one of the abundant marine resources in Indonesia that has not been maximized. Based on some previous studies, some macroalgae such as Gracillaria sp., Halimeda sp., Padina sp., Sargassum sp., and Turbinaria sp. have potential as a source of antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant substances. The purpose of this study was to test the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of macroalgae. This research is expected to be an opportunity to expand the utilization of macroalgae in accordance with the fourteenth goal of the SDGs, especially in the medical field. The antibacterial and antifungal testing method used is the disc diffusion method. While the antioxidant testing method used the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl) method. The research data analysis method is descriptive analysis method. Based on previous research, the results obtained were that the five types of macroalgae used had an inhibition zone diameter above 2 mm. The type of macroalgae that most effectively inhibits S. aureus bacteria is Turbinaria sp., while the type of macroalgae that most effectively inhibits E. coli bacteria is Gracillaria sp.. Based on the antioxidant test, it is known that Gracillaria sp. has an _IC50 value of 20.21 ± 0.78 μg/L. Based on antifungal testing, it was found that Turbinaria sp. with ^20oCstorage temperature treatment had the best antifungal substance from C. albicans with an inhibition zone diameter of 14.30 ± 0.50 mm.