Antimicrobial Feature of Traditional Coconut Leaf-Based Packaging Coated With Propolis

Abstract

Propolis has the potential to serve as an alternative coating for coconut leaves, given its antimicrobial qualities attributed to compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. The objective of this research is to assess the antibacterial activity of coconut leaf-based packaging coated with propolis. Specifically, 3% concentrations of two types of propolis from different regions, namely Indonesia (A) and Brazil (B), are chosen as coating materials for the coconut leaves. It chooses a 3% propolis concentration for the coating based on a preliminary test. The application of the coating influences the thickness of the leaves, ranging from 0.39 to 0.41 mm, and results in a color change (∆E) ranging from 23.95 to 28.06. The enhancement of antimicrobial features against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli is more pronounced in propolis B-coated leaves (9.84 mm for B. subtilis; 13.22 mm for E. coli) compared to propolis A-coated leaves (8.94 mm for B. subtilis; 12.28 mm for E. coli), as observed through the inhibition zone test.