EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTI-BACTERIAL EXTRACT FROM KULIT JERUK NIPIS (Citrus aurantiifolia) IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF Escherichia coli BACTERIA ON PLATES

Abstrak

Bacterial contamination of Escherichia coli on eating utensils, especially plates, is a serious health challenge, particularly in areas with low hygiene standards. The use of natural ingredients such as lime peel extract (Citrus aurantiifolia) as an antibacterial agent can be an environmentally friendly solution. This study aims to test the effectiveness of lime peel extract in reducing the number of Escherichia coli bacteria on plates. The study was conducted using an experimental method with a Static Group Comparison design. Plate samples were obtained from a restaurant in West Kota District. A total of 18 plate swab samples were taken and tested at the Gorontalo Ministry of Health Polytechnic Microbiology Laboratory. The samples were divided into three groups: 6 samples without treatment, 6 samples with 5% extract concentration, and 6 samples with 7% concentration treatment. The results showed that the average number of E. coli bacteria on untreated plates was 11.24 CFU/cm². After treatment with a 5% concentration, this number decreased to 1.08 CFU/cm² (90.43%). At a concentration of 7%, the E. coli count decreased significantly to 0.15 CFU/cm² (98.66%). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the control and treatment groups (p-value < 0.05), with the highest effectiveness at a concentration of 7%. In conclusion, lime peel extract is effective as a natural antibacterial agent, especially at a concentration of 7% with a reduction rate of up to 98.66%, and has the potential to be used as an environmentally friendly solution for maintaining the cleanliness of eating utensils.