Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of Begonia multangula Blume. leaf extract against Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a fungus that is included in the normal microbiota of humans. In general, C. albicans remains a lifelong commensal microorganism. This fungus has a hazardous impact. C. albicans can cause infection and is fatal. The spread of this fungus is one of the factors caused by antibiotic resistance, which causes C. albicans to be resistant and form strong colonies (biofilms) to survive. Natural ingredients for treatment is an alternative that is often used by the community because their use is effortless and practical. One of the plants is the leaves of Begonia multangula Blume. This plant is known to have potent antifungal activity, but its antibiofilm activity against C. albicans has not yet been reported in-depth about its antibiofilm. The discovery of new antibiofilm against C. albicans biofilms is a way to prevent the effects of infections caused by these biofilms. This research is a form of dedication to the effectiveness of Begonia multangula Blume leaf extract in inhibiting and eradicating C. albicans biofilm formation. Planktonic testing, inhibition, and biofilm eradication activity were carried out using the microtiter broth method. Antibiofilm activity of begonia leaves on C. albicans was measured by calculating the minimum concentration of biofilm inhibitor (MBIC₅₀). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) with a 95% confidence level. The begonia leaves showed inhibitory activity against the tested C. albicans biofilm formation. Begonia multangula Blume leaf extract 1% gave C. albicans antibacterial activity of 75±0.01% and mid-phase antibiofilm activity of 65.21±0.01% and maturation phase of 50.11±0.01. The results also provided evidence that the ethanolic extract of C. albicans can degrade (eradication) the formation of C. albicans biofilms. Therefore, the ethanol extract of begonia leaves can be developed as a new antibiofilm agent against C. albicans.