Running head: TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum) Leaves Extract
Against Micrococcus luteus
Ken Charles Almodovar
Gabriell Hermosando
Patrick Baron Pilar
Marc Wilky Sarsaba
Alvin Dale Verzosa
Maria Ruby Amarante
Mikaela Nicolle Cardoza
Aira Sophia Marasigan
Georgette Morales
Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School
Author Note
Group 5, Grade 10 - Newton, Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School
Correspondence concerning this Research Study should be addressed to the members of Group 5,
Grade 10 - Newton, Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School, J.P Rizal Blvd, Barangay
Market Area, Santa Rosa City, Laguna
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Abstract
Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum) is a perennial grass in the Philippines. It can be found
almost everywhere which makes it an abundant grass thus being an accessible herbal medicine
for the people. Micrococcus luteus is a gram-positive bacterium which causes
immunocompromised patients to get skin infections easily. The aim of this study is to utilize
Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract against Micrococcus luteus. In the
process, the talahib grass leaves extract was diluted to produce two different concentrations, 25%
and 75%. After the dilution, the extract was introduced to the strains of bacteria and the results
were gathered after nine days of analyzing. The statistical treatments used were Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson r Correlation Coefficient. The two concentrations show the
same result of zero in each replication of different concentrations. For the Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA), the F value for both concentrations is 0 with the F critical of 5.14 which has the
interpretation of failing to reject the null hypothesis and rejecting the alternative hypothesis. For
the Pearson r Correlation Coefficient, the r computed is 0 therefore, showing to fail to reject the
null hypothesis and rejecting the alternative hypothesis. Based on the results shown, there is no
significant relationship or difference in the two variables: different concentrations of Talahib
grass (Saccharum spontaneum) leave extract and Micrococcus luteus. Therefore, showing that
there is no antimicrobial activity present in Talahib grass (Saccharum spontaneum) extract
against the bacteria, Micrococcus luteus.
Keywords: Talahib Grass Leaves, Micrococcus luteus, gram-positive, antimicrobial activity,
ANOVA, Pearson r Correlation Coefficient, Immunocompromised patients
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum) Leaves Extract
Against Micrococcus luteus
With the condition of the environment today, more pollutants and hazardous particles
affect the immune system of people. Due to immunocompromised health, people acquire more
infections and diseases. Opportunistic pathogens are responsible for nosocomial infections.
These infections may occur in hospitals due to breaches on infection control practices and
procedures, unclean and non-sterile environmental surfaces, and/or ill employees (Revelas,
2012). Due to the suppression of the immune system, pathogens such as the Micrococcus luteus
take advantage of this as a skin microflora that infects the blood streams of the patient and brings
infections throughout the body such as endocarditis, septic shock and can skin itches (Miltiadous
& Elisaf, 2011; Akbar, Ali, Khan, Muhammad, Sitara, & Willey, 2014; Wickham, 2019).
Plant produces phytochemical to protect itself from harm, but recent researches have
shown that many phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or
disease preventive properties. Recent research demonstrates that many phytochemicals of plants
can protect humans against diseases. Many plant extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth
of microorganisms. These extracts consist of chemicals and are usually considered to play a role
in defense reactions of plants against infections by pathogenic microorganisms (Murugan &
Wins, 2013).
Talahib grass is a perennial grass native to South Asia. It can be found almost
everywhere (Stuart, 2015). In the Philippines, the talahib grass is used as a natural medicine such
as in curing fever, beri-beri, blood diseases, etc. (Farrah, 2015). It may then be able to cure
diseases caused by Micrococcus luteus.
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Talahib
Talahib grass grows to a height of 1 to 3.5 meters; leaves are 0.5 to 1 meter long, 6 to 15
millimeters wide with a harsh and linear structure. It has white and erect panicles, 15 to 30
centimeters long. Its joints are covered with soft white hair. Spikelets are about 3.5 millimeters
long, much shorter than the copious, long, white hairs at the base (Stuart, 2015).
Talahib grass leaves extract has chemical properties such as flavonoids, alkaloids,
steroids, essential oil, and etc. (Bulanadi, Tolentino, Mamaclay, Villafor, & Bulanadi, 2015;
Stuart, 2015) It is known to cure kidney problems, high fever and such. Talahib Grass has an
antibacterial property thus, having no proven antifungal property. Many studies show that
Talahib Grass (Saccharum Spontaneum) has phytochemicals, CNS depressant , antipsychotic
activity, antimicrobial, cytotoxin , antioxidant, antimicrobial, trinpanchmool, herbal
combination, pulp and paper making, cellulase production, antioxidant activity, roots,
antiurolithiatic activity, antibacterial, saccharum spontaneum biomass for releasing reducing
sugars, potential as laundry detergent, roots, acute and subacute toxicological studies,
denitrification of drinking water, anti-obesity, antidiarrheal/CNS depressant, biodiesel, removal
of municipal wastewater, potential for ecological restoration, qualitative, nutritional analysis of
roots, anti-inflammatory, cream formulation, roots, and adsorption of azodye titan yellow
(Stuart, 2015).
Due to the presence of some active substances, such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids,
tannins, and anthraquinones, some plants have medicinal values. These substances can be found
in specific parts of the plants as stem, roots, and leaves. Talahib (Saccharum spontaneum L.) can
be a possible source of drug if it is found to be positive of said substances. Through the use of
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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phytochemical analysis, the ethyl alcohol extracts of different parts of talahib were studied
(Tolentino, Mamaclay, Villaflor & Bulanadi, 2015).
Talahib contains astringent, emollient, refrigerant, diuretic, lithotriptic, purgative, tonic,
and aphrodisiac properties. Decoction made out of talahib grass roots is used to cure fever in
some countries and is also believed to help cure conditions such as beriberi, phthisis, blood
diseases, dyspepsia, piles, sexual weakness, respiratory ailments, gynecological troubles, and
more. In Siddha medicine, talahib is also used as a treatment for anemia and obesity (Farah,
2015).
Micrococcus luteus
Human skin, water, dust, and soil are common grounds for Micrococcus luteus.
Micrococcus was first isolated by Alexander Fleming in 1929, as Micrococcus lysodeikticus
before it was known as Micrococcus luteus (Ganz, Kocur, Kloss & Shliefer, 2002).
The Micrococcus spp. is commonly known as normal skin microflora and its antibacterial
activity has rarely been reported against different pathogens. This bacterium is ubiquitous in
nature and can be easily found in natural environments (Akbar, Ali, Khan, Muhammad, Sitara, &
Willey, 2014).
Micrococcus luteus can cause septic shock to an immunocompromised patient where the
infected organ of the body leads into dangerously low blood pressure and the metabolism of cells
becomes abnormal. (Wickham, 2019)
Micrococcus luteus is a coccus, a gram-positive in which the cell wall is composed of
thick layer of peptidoglycan, it can change rapidly for worse, arranged in tetrad, pigmented, and
saprotrophic bacteria that is a member of the family Micrococcaceae. It is commonly found in
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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soil, dust, water, and in human skin flora. It has also been isolated from foods such as milk and
goat’s cheese. The bacterium is mostly transmitted through direct or indirect contact with
contaminated persons or objects. Micrococcus luteus is usually regarded as contaminants from
skin and mucus. It has been documented to be causative organism in cases of bacteremia,
endocarditis, ventriculitis, peritonitis, pneumonia, endophthalmitis, keratolysis and septic
arthritis. Micrococcus luteus causes odors in humans when breaking down the components of
sweat. It rarely causes infections or problems in the body, those with compromised immune
systems, such as occurs with HIV+ patients, have been known to get skin infections and
endocarditis caused by Micrococcus luteus. Skin infections caused by this bacterium may result
in an unpleasant sensation of the skin that provokes the urge to scratch the area as well as the
presence of skin lesions on different areas. As the bacterium is part of the skin’s bacterial flora, it
is easy to overlook as the cause of infection (Akbar, Ali, Khan, Muhammad, Sitara, & Willey,
2014; von Eiff, Kuhn, Herrmann, Weber, & Peters, 2013).
Micrococcus luteus is an aerobe, which means that it thrives in an oxygen rich
environment, and is normally found living in the human mouth, mucosal linings of the upper
pharynx, and respiratory tract. These organisms are usually considered non-pathogenic but
immunocompromised persons such as AIDS patients, or those on chemotherapy, need to be
concerned about these bacteria (Chakraborty, 2015).
Infective endocarditis is an infection, either in the heart valves or endocardium and
Micrococcus luteus endocarditis is one of the rare cases of this. Infective endocarditis due to M.
luteus now totals to 17 where it all involves prosthetic valves. To the best of our knowledge, we
describe the first case of native aortic valve M luteus endocarditis in an immunosuppressed
patient in this report (Miltiadous & Elisaf, 2011).
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Purpose of the Study
The researchers aim to utilize Talahib (Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract against
Micrococcus luteus. The study will show how talahib leaves will be used against the bacteria that
causes infections to people with compromised health, specifically Micrococcus luteus.
The purpose of this study was not to replace the conventional antibiotics against
Micrococcus luteus but rather to have an alternative solution or variable which can be produced
locally like Talahib grass to conserve waste products, which are free of charge.
Significance of the Study
The study used Talahib grass (Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract against
Micrococcus luteus. The results and findings from the study will serve as a great contribution
and benefit to the following individuals and organization:
Medical field. This study will be of great significance to people in the medical field. This
will find a new solution and an alternative antibiotic for Micrococcus luteus which is an
opportunistic pathogen that causes nosocomial infections to patients especially children and old
patients.
Land Owners. This study will be of great significance to people who owns land with
Talahib grass in it. This study will help them dispose their waste properly and the Talahib grass
will be not wasted but turned into a useful antibiotic.
Community. This study will be of great significance to the people living in both rural
and urbanized areas inside the community. This will help occupants of the area in lessening
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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byproducts while producing an alternative antibiotic against Micrococcus luteus which causes
skin cancer and infection to people with immunocompromised health.
Future Researchers. This study will be of great significance to the future researchers
such as students in different levels. Information and data shown may also serve as an add-on
knowledge to similar topics involving the facts and methods used in the study relating to the
finding an efficient and alternative solution against Micrococcus luteus. The findings and results
presented in this study may be used as a reference data in conducting their original works which
are similar to the study.
Statement of the Problem
The main problem of this study is focused on the utilization of Talahib grass (Saccharum
spontaneum) leaves extract against Micrococcus luteus.
Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:
1. Is there a significant relationship between the different concentrations of Talahib (Saccharum
spontaneum) grass leaves extract and the diameter of zones of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus?
2. Is there a significant difference between the diameters of the zones of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus in the varying concentrations of Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum)
leaves extract (25% and 75%)?
Outcomes
Based on the problems presented, the following hypotheses have been formulated:
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Ho1. There is no significant relationship between the different concentrations of Talahib
(Saccharum spontaneum) grass leaves extract and the diameter of zones of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus.
Ho2. There is no significant difference between the diameters of the zones of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus in the varying concentrations of Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum)
leaves extract (25% and 75%)?
Ha1. There is a significant relationship between the different concentrations of the Talahib grass
leaves extract and the diameter of zones of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus.
Ha2. There is a significant difference between the diameters of the zones of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus in the varying concentrations of Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum)
leaves extract (25% and 75%)?
Method
Research Design
The specific research design used in this study was Randomized Complete Block Design.
It is the design to be utilized since the subsequent treatments applied to the bacteria are to be
replicated for the researchers to determine the cause of change. There is control in this design
and subject will undergo randomization process.
Experimentations with similar experimental units that are grouped into blocks or have
replication undergo the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). RCBD was applied to
control variation in an experiment, in which each block sees each treatment exactly once (Grant,
2018).
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Materials and Equipment
The materials used in this study were: two (2) gallons of ethanol, one (1) bottle of 12mL
distilled water, 5.14 kg of talahib grass leaves, and strain of Micrococcus luteus. The equipment
used were one (1) weighing scale, four (4) blender, five (5) scissors, three (3) 750mL reagent
bottles, one (1) 1000mL plastic bottle, one (1) electric stove, one (1) casserole, one (1) kettle,
one (1) steamer, eight (8) 5x4 inches cheesecloth, one (1) 250mL beakers, 15 round filter papers
(3 inches in diameter), three (3) 60mm laboratory funnels, four (4) evaporating dishes, one (1)
tongs, one (1) thermometer, three (3) urine sample containers.
Procedure
Maceration has been adopted from a wine making technique and is now widely used in
medicinal plants research. It involves soaking plant materials (coarse or powdered) in a tightly
sealed container with a solvent and allowed to stand at room temperature for a period of
minimum 3 days with frequent agitation. Using this process, the plant’s cell wall will eventually
soften and break that will cause the release of soluble phytochemicals. Fermentation through
softening and penetrating the cellular structure of the sample by the use of a solvent and where
the soluble constituents are dissolved and extracted out is called the Maceration process (Handa,
Khanuja, Longo & Rakesh, 2008; Ahmed, 2015).
The materials used in the study were 95% ethanol, sugarcane distillate, four blenders, one
1000mL plastic bottle and a beaker. The talahib grass leaves were air-dried for forty-eight hours
and then blended after. The blended pieces of talahib grass leaves weighing 1027g was then
submerged in 4108 mL ethyl alcohol using the ratio 1g:4mL. Infusion and decoction uses the
same principle as maceration; both were soaked in cold or boiled water, however, the maceration
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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for infusion was shorter and sample was boiled in a specified volume of water (e.g. 1:4 or 1:16)
for a defined time for decoction (Handa, Khanuja, Longo, & Rakesh, 2008). The plastic bottle
was covered tightly so that the alcohol will not evaporate quickly given that alcohols are volatile.
The macerated talahib grass leaves were set aside for seventy-two hours.
After seventy-two hours, the macerated talahib grass leaves in the plastic bottle were
filtered twice using eight 5x4 inches cheesecloth and 15 round filter papers (3 inches in
diameter). Three reagent bottles and three funnels were also used when the macerated talahib
grass leaves were filtered again by filter paper. The filtered talahib grass leaves were then
transferred to four evaporating dishes in batches. The transferred substance was a partial talahib
grass leaves extract.
Three days after the blended leaves had been soaked in the solvent, the mixture was
pressed or strained by filtration. In this conventional method, heat was transferred through
convection and conduction and the choice of solvents determines the type of compound extracted
from the samples (Handa, Khanuja, Longo, & Rakesh, 2008).
The filtered talahib grass leaves extract was evaporated in a steamer to remove the
ethanol using the water-bath setup while maintaining the temperature of the water and the
process lasted for several hours. Water bath is used to heat samples in water at a constant
temperature over a long period of time. Water baths use either a digital or an analogue interface
to set the desired temperature. Warming of reagents, melting of substances or incubation of cell
structures was included in its utilization. It is also used to enable certain chemical reactions to
occur at high temperature. To prevent ignition while heating flammable chemicals on an open
flame, water bath has become a preferred heat source (National Academy Press,
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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2011). Different types of water baths are used depending on application. The ranging
temperature of all water baths can be up to 99.9 °C (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., 2014).
The outcome was a liquid consistency of the talahib grass leaves. The outcome was then
diluted with distilled water to make different concentrations then introduced to the bacteria
through Cup-Cylinder Method to check its effectiveness. Microorganisms form inhibition zone
to specific antibiotic concentrations, these zones are compared in the microbiological assay of
antibiotics. Antibiotic in cylinder is spread into the agar layer where the microorganisms are
present. The area around the cylinder is where the inhibition zone is formed. (Miller, 2015).
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
Flowchart
Figure 2. Flowchart Diagram
13
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Data Gathering Procedure
The data for this study were collected using data mining. Data was found using various
numerical figures that were tallied and presented.
Data Gathering Technique
The data gathering technique used in this study was the Cup Cylinder Method. In this
technique, to test the effectiveness of the talahib grass leaves extract against Micrococcus luteus,
the sterile sensitivity was used. The expected results of the method used would be the inhibited
zone of the bacteria with the presence of talahib grass leaves extract.
To determine the
effectiveness of the extract present, the diameter of zone of inhibition of the bacteria was
measured in millimeters.
Statistical Treatment
The introduction that were stated in chapter one of the study supports different statistical
statements. The study considered the significant difference and relationship between the
variables. The data gathered were interpreted using the following:
1. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
The Analysis of Variance is a statistical tool used for testing for the significant difference
of different concentrations. From those results, the study determines whether the different
concentrations of talahib grass leaves affect the Micrococcus luteus differently. The formula
used was:
Where:
F is the ANOVA coefficient
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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MST is the sum of squares due to treatment
MSE denotes the sum of squares due to error
The formula for MST is:
MST = SSTp - 1
SST = ∑n x-x2
Where:
SST is the sum of the squares due to the treatment
p is the total number of populations
n is the total number of samples in a population
The formula for MSE on the other hand is:
MSE = SSEN - p
SSE = ∑ (n - 1) S2
Where:
SSE is the sum of the squares due to error
S is the standard deviation of the samples
N is the total number of observations
2. Pearson r Correlation Coefficient
Another statistical treatment for the significant relationship is the Pearson r correlation.
mIt deals with measuring the degree of linear relationship between two variables whether
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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positive or negative. In this study, this tool gives the answer by comparing the data gathered
from the Kirby-Bauer Method and showing the effects of the different concentrations of the
talahib grass leaves extract on Micrococcus luteus. The formula used was:
r = N (∑xy) - (∑x) (∑y)N∑x2-∑x2[N∑y2-∑y2
Where:
N is the number of pair of scores
∑xy is the sum of the products of paired scores
∑x is the sum of x scores
∑y is the sum of y scores
∑x2 is the sum of the squared x scores
∑y2 is the sum of the squared y scores
In interpreting the correlation coefficient value (r) that was obtained from the gathered
data, the scale below will be used:
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
+1.00
Perfect positive correlation
+0.75-+0.99
Very high positive correlation
+0.50- +0.74
High positive correlation
+0.25- +0.49
Small positive correlation
+0.01- +0.24
Very small positive correlation
0.00
No correlation
-0.01- -0.24
Very small negative correlation
-0.25- -0.49
Moderately small negative correlation
-0.50- -0.74
High negative correlation
-0.75- -0.99
Very high negative correlation
-1.00
Perfect negative correlation
17
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Results
Presented below are the tables and graphs that show the data regarding the effects of
Talahib Grass (Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract against Micrococcus luteus.
Table 1. Summary Table of the relationship between the different amounts of Talahib Grass
(Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract and the diameters of the zone of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus and the Pearson r Correlation Coefficient analysis
Trial
x
Concentrations
(percentage)
Y
Inhibition diameter (mm)
1
25
0
2
25
0
3
25
0
4
75
0
5
75
0
6
75
0
Xy
𝑥2
𝑦2
0
0.56
0
0
0.56
0
0
0.56
0
0
0.063
0
0
0.063
0
0
0.063
0
∑𝑥𝑦=0
r = 0 (no correlation)
∑𝑥 2 = 3.57 ∑𝑦 2 = 0
Decision: Failed to reject Ho
The table shows the relationship between the two concentrations of the talahib grass
extract and the diameter of the zone of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus. The null and alternative
hypotheses, Ho1: there is no significant relationship between the different concentrations of the
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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Talahib grass leaves extract and the diameters of the zones of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus
and Ha1: there is a significant relationship between the different concentrations of the Talahib
grass leaves extract and the diameters of the zones of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus were
tested. The value of α is 0.05, establishing a 95% confidence level. For the first trial using the
25% concentration of Talahib grass extract, an inhibition zone diameter of 0mm was present.
The second trial with 50% concentration of the extract, produced an inhibition zone diameter of
0mm. Pearson r Correlation Coefficient analysis was used as the test statistic. With the test
statistics, the researchers obtained 0 for the r value which showed no correlation at all. The
decision was to fail to reject the null hypothesis.
Table 2. Summary table of the differences in the diameter of the zone of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus in the varying concentrations of Talahib grass (Saccharum spontaneum)
leaves extract (25% amd 75%) and ANOVA analysis
Source of
Variation
Degree of
Freedom
Sum of
Squares
Mean of
Squares
Treatments
2
2.69
1.345
Error
6
0
0
2.69
1.345
Total
8
Decision: Failed to reject Ho
F-computed
value
F-tabular
(α = 0.05)
0
5.14
The data above shows the difference between the diameters of zones of inhibition and the
two concentrations of the Talahib grass extract processed using one-way ANOVA. The
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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hypotheses were tested, Ho2: There is no significant difference between the diameters of the
zones of inhibition of Micrococcus luteus in terms of the varying concentrations of the talahib
extract, Ha2: There is a significant difference between the diameter of the zone of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus in terms of the different concentration of the Talahib extract. The value of α
is 0.05 or a 95% confidence level. With the results of microbiology analysis, the sum of squares
of the treatment and error are both 0. Degrees of freedom of 2 and 4 of treatments and errors
respectively were obtained and the total df is 8. The computed mean of squares of the treatments
is 2.69 for the error 0 is the SST. The Mean of Squares for the treatment is 1.345 and 0 for the
error. The F-computed value is 0. The F-tabular is 5.14. Since the F-computed is less than the Ftabular 0 < 5.14 the decision is to fail to reject the null hypothesis.
Discussion
The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Talahib grass leaves against the
bacteria Micrococcus luteus. According to Bulanadi (2007), the talahib grass leaves have
phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, especially steroids and essential oils that can be
used against Micrococcus luteus. Micrococcus luteus rarely causes problems in the body such as
skin infections, chronic cutaneous infections, and result in pruritic eruptions of the skin in some
areas as well as scattered papular lesions with or without central ulcerations. According to
Willey (2008), the Micrococcus spp. is commonly known as normal skin microflora and its
antibacterial activity has rarely been reported against different pathogens. This bacterium is
ubiquitous in nature and can be easily found in natural environments.
From previous studies, Talahib grass was revealed to contain phenols, essential oils,
steroids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, coumarin, and anthrones in a
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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phytochemical screening. It was found out that the ethanol extract exhibited 68.97% scavenging
activity against 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. Talahib ethanolic extract
showed no inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S. spontaneum (Talahib) roots
could be a source of bioactive compounds with biological activities such as antioxidant (Bautista,
Dulay, Landingin, Liwanag & Salamanca, 2018).
According to Lapuz, Arabian, Sembrano, Albaniel, Paet, and Maini (2016),
carbohydrates, condensed tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids are present in the plant
extract of Saccharum spontaneum linne. The growth of S. aureus and S. epidermidis are inhibited
with 1.5% and 2.0% concentration of the ethanolic root extract of Talahib grass. The antibacterial activity and the concentration of the extract are directly proportional.
The data collected in this study suggest that the use of Talahib grass leaves extract
against Micrococcus luteus is not effective. The bacteria used may be a strong one or the
antibacterial agent used did not contain enough fighting mechanisms against the bacteria. There
could also be extraneous variables that came in along the way since the extraction was performed
under varying conditions of the surroundings.
The researchers used maceration process, a method of extraction wherein the samples
were soaked in a solvent such as alcohol. Instead of maceration process, the future researchers
can also use soxhlet extraction. Soxhlet extraction is the process of transferring the partially
soluble components of a solid to the liquid phase using a Soxhlet extractor.
Conclusion
The aim of the study was to utilize and determine the effectiveness of Talahib
(Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract against Micrococcus luteus. Based on the findings of the
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
22
researchers, there is no significant relationship in the two variables: different concentrations of
Talahib grass (Saccharum spontaneum) leaves extract and diameter of zone of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus, and there is no significant difference in the diameter of zone of inhibition of
Micrococcus luteus in varying concentrations of the Talahib grass (Saccharum spontaneum)
leaves extract. Therefore, showing that there is no antimicrobial activity present in Talahib grass
(Saccharum spontaneum) extract against the bacteria, Micrococcus luteus.
Recommendation
There is a lot of room for improvement for this research. New researchers who want to
continue or improve this study can use another method of extraction that can give them more
satisfying results. Changing of the variables is also possible especially if the researchers have
something than the study. The use of different microorganism as a test subject or changing the
antibacterial agent itself can bring an unexpected result that may be better than the last one. This
study can be used as reference for making an antibacterial agent against Micrococcus luteus
which causes skin infections and diseases especially those with compromised immune systems.
TALAHIB AGAINST MICROCOCCUS LUTEUS
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References
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Appendix A
Gathering of Materials
Air Drying
Powdering of Talahib Grass
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Maceration
Filtering
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Water Bath Set-Up
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Appendix B
Values of Pearson’s r Analysis
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Appendix C
Values of Analysis of Variance
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Appendix D
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