Chemical Characterization of Gambir (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) Extract by Uv–Vis Spectrophotometry and HPLC, and Its Antibacterial Activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25077/jrk.v17i2.949Keywords:
Katechin, Tannin, Gambier, Ethyl acetate, phenolic, HPLCAbstract
Gambir (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) is a major commodity of West Sumatra and is rich in polyphenolic compounds, particularly catechins and tannins. This study aimed to extract and chemically characterize the leaves, twigs, pure gambir, and crude gambir using water and ethyl acetate, and to evaluate their antibacterial activity. Pure gambir and crude gambir were extracted by Soxhlet extraction using water and ethyl acetate, whereas leaves and twigs were extracted using water and ethyl acetate. Secondary metabolites were identified through phytochemical screening. Catechin content was determined using UV–Vis spectrophotometry and further confirmed by HPLC, while tannin content was determined by HPLC and expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Total phenolic content was analyzed using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Antibacterial activity of the crude gambir ethyl acetate extract was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 using the disk diffusion method. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract of pure gambir produced the highest extraction yield (98.62%) and the highest catechin content by UV–Vis spectrophotometry (78.24%), whereas HPLC showed a catechin concentration of 924.09 µg/mL. The highest tannin content, expressed as gallic acid equivalent response, was observed in the ethyl acetate extract of crude gambir (28.66 µg/mL), with a total phenolic content of 114.86 mg GAE/g. Phytochemical screening indicated that all samples contained phenolic compounds, tannins, and flavonoids. The ethyl acetate extract of crude gambir inhibited both bacterial strains, producing inhibition zones of 6.79–8.37 mm, classified as moderate antibacterial activity overall.
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