Evaluation of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L) Extract Gel as an Antibacterial Agent Against Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition, particularly prevalent among adolescents and young adults. This condition is influenced by several factors, including excessive sebum production, abnormal keratinization, inflammation, and colonization of microorganisms such as Staphylococcus epidermidis within the pilosebaceous follicles. This study aims to develop a gel formulation containing butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) extract that meets the physical quality standards of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) and exhibits antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The research involved purposive sampling of butterfly pea flowers from Medan City, followed by extraction and phytochemical screening to identify secondary metabolites. Four gel formulations were prepared using carbopol as the base: F0 (without extract), F1 (0.1% extract), F2 (3% extract), and F3 (5% extract). The formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, viscosity, physical stability through cycling tests, and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, and glycosides, indicating the extract's potential antibacterial properties. The butterfly pea extract was successfully formulated into a gel that met acceptable quality standards using carbopol 940 as the gelling agent. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that the formulated gel exhibited inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis.