Crude Aceh patchouli alcohol (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) elucidated antibiofilm activity of against Staphylococcus aureus

¹ Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Aceh, Indonesia,
² Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh 23111, Aceh, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: suhartono@usk.ac.id

Abstract

The emergence of biofilm-producing bacteria has prompted the search for novel antibacterial agents, including plant-based compounds, such as patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin Benth.). This study evaluated the phytochemical and antibiofilm activities of crude Aceh patchouli oil (CPO) against Staphylococcus aureus. This study employed a laboratory experimental design: two controls (growth and negative) and three varying concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of CPO. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which revealed the presence of terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and fatty acids in CPO, with patchouli alcohol, azulene, and alpha-guaiene as the dominant compounds. CPO exhibited significant antibiofilm activity against S. aureus, with a minimum biofilm-inhibitory concentration of 0.5%. Notably, CPO was also effective in eradicating existing S. aureus biofilms at a concentration of 1%. The findings of this study suggest that CPO could be a promising candidate for the development of novel anti-staphylococcal agents.