Antibacterial Activity of Yellow Pigment from Micrococcus flavus AK 11 Isolates of the Coral Porites sp. from Gosong Beach, Central Java, Indonesia

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections in the wound have significant concern. Yellow pigmented marine bacteria, strains AK 11, were isolated from the coral Porites sp. on Gosong Beach, Rembang, Central Java, Indonesia, and cultured in the laboratory. This study aimed to determine the bacterial symbionts and the type of pigment generated and ascertain the antibacterial effectiveness of yellow pigment against bacteria that cause wound infections. The extraction process was performed using three different methods, each distinguished by the solvent and evaporation process. The antibacterial activity test was carried out by the diffusion method using the test bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The results showed that the most suitable pigment extraction method was Method III, with methanol as solvent and drying technique using N2. The antibacterial activity of the yellow pigment extract against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus strain MDR exhibited an inhibition zone diameter of 35± 1.08 and 25± 1.06mm. At the same time, P. aeruginosa and E. coli bacteria did not demonstrate any antibacterial activity. The results also disclosed that the bacterial symbionts were Micrococcus flavus using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which produced carotenoid pigments. In conclusion, the yellow pigment extract has the potential to be antibacterial, particularly against S. aureus. It is advised that future research continue to concentrate on how antibacterial action operates in vivo.