Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity and Physico-Chemical Profiles of Eucalyptus pellita Essential Oil from East Kalimantan

Abstract

Eucalyptus is one of the plants used in the pulp and paper industry, and their leaves are known as forest harvesting waste that potential to produce essential oils. This research aimed to examine the physicochemical profiles of Eucalyptus pellita leaf essential oils grown in East Kalimantan and their potential antibacterial activity. The essential oils distilled using water and steam distillation methods. Analysis of physicochemical profiles from this oil included yield, colour, refractive index, solubility in alcohol, and chemical compositions by GC-MS. Antibacterial activity assayed by agar diffusion method against Streptococcus sobrinus and S. mutans. The results showed that E. pellita oil’s physicochemical profile was 0.86% of yield, 1.465 of refractive index, and solubility in alcohol was 1:1. Chemical components contained in E. pellita oil dominated by β-pinene (33.49%), patchouli alcohol (13.77%), 1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (9.81%), eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole) (6.7%), and trans-β-caryophyllene (6.7%). This oil was active to inhibit all bacterias’ growth in a range of 14.78-22.33 mm against S. sobrinus and ranging from 14.00 mm to 52.00 mm against S. mutans. This forest harvesting waste potential to develop as a new source of essential oil (eucalyptol oil).