Antibacterial Activity of Carotenoid from Bacterial Symbiont Virgibacillus salarius Strain 19.PP.Sc.1.6 against MDR E. coli and MRSA

Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) E. coli and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) are resistant bacteria and cause infection. Compounds that have the potential to be antibacterial are carotenoids produced by bacteria associated with soft corals such as Sinularia sp. This study aims to determine the potential of carotenoid bacteria symbionts Virgibacillus salarius strain 19.PP.Sc1.6 soft coral Sinularia sp. against the growth of MDR E. coli and MRSA bacteria with concentrations of 4, 6, and 8%. The carotenoid from symbiont bacteria was extracted by the maceration method using methanol as solvent. The results of the screening test showed that the average clear zone diameter for MDR E. coli antibacterial test at 4% concentration was 0.770 cm, 6% 0.818 cm, and 8% 0.915 cm with positive control 1.924 cm. The results of the antibacterial test against MRSA had an average diameter at a concentration of 4% of 1.218 cm, a concentration of 6% 1.318 cm, and a concentration of 8% 1.405 cm, and positive control of 2.109 cm. The results of statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between the concentration groups and between the carotenoid pigment groups and the positive control. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the carotenoid pigment of the symbiont bacteria V.salarius strain 19 PP.Sc 1.6 has an antibacterial activity for MDR E. coli and MRSA growth