Makasssar- A scientific review published in 2026 highlights the antibacterial potential of Dayak onion (Eleutherine palmifolia), a traditional medicinal plant from Indonesia. The study was written by Ananda Thirda Oktaviana, Juliani Ibrahim, Ferdinan, and Dito Anurogo from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar and published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. By analyzing research published between 2020 and 2025, the authors found consistent evidence that extracts from Dayak onion can inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, a bacterium responsible for many gastrointestinal infections.
The findings are significant because E. coli infections remain a major public health concern worldwide, especially in areas where sanitation, food safety, and access to antibiotics are limited. Increasing antibiotic resistance has also encouraged scientists to explore natural compounds from plants as potential alternative antibacterial agents.
Traditional Indonesian Plant with Modern Scientific Interest
Dayak onion, known locally in parts of Kalimantan as bawang Dayak, has long been used in traditional medicine. Indigenous communities have used the plant to treat a range of conditions, including infections, inflammation, and digestive problems. The bulb of the plant contains various bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, steroids, and tannins. These compounds are widely recognized in pharmacology for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
In recent years, researchers have begun to examine the plant more systematically. Laboratory experiments have tested extracts of Dayak onion against different bacterial species, including Escherichia coli. This bacterium is commonly found in the human intestine but certain strains can cause severe illness, including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and foodborne disease outbreaks.
The review conducted by researchers from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar brings together findings from multiple studies to evaluate how effective Dayak onion extract is in inhibiting the growth of this bacterium.
Reviewing Five Years of Scientific Evidence
The research used a systematic literature review approach, which means the authors carefully collected and analyzed findings from previously published scientific studies. The review focused on studies published between 2020 and 2025 that examined the antibacterial activity of Dayak onion extract against Escherichia coli.
The authors screened scientific databases to identify relevant articles and selected studies that reported measurable results. One of the main indicators used to evaluate antibacterial effectiveness was the diameter of the inhibition zone, a laboratory measurement showing how strongly a substance prevents bacterial growth on an agar plate.
In total, the review identified ten relevant scientific studies that tested Dayak onion extracts against E. coli. Seven of these studies provided quantitative data showing significant antibacterial activity, while three studies reported weaker inhibitory effects.
The variations in results were linked to differences in extraction methods, concentrations of the plant extract, and laboratory testing conditions.
Evidence of Antibacterial Activity
Across the studies analyzed, Dayak onion extract consistently showed the ability to suppress the growth of Escherichia coli. Many experiments demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, as indicated by relatively large inhibition zones in laboratory tests.
The antibacterial effect is believed to come from the plant’s natural chemical compounds. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds, for example, can disrupt bacterial cell walls and interfere with microbial metabolism. Alkaloids may inhibit bacterial enzyme activity, while tannins can damage microbial proteins.
When these compounds are present together in plant extracts, they may create a synergistic antibacterial effect, making the plant a promising candidate for natural antimicrobial development.
However, the review also notes that not all experiments produced equally strong results. Some studies reported weaker activity, which researchers attribute to differences in how the extracts were prepared. Extraction techniques, solvent types, and concentrations can significantly influence the amount of active compounds obtained from plant materials.
Potential Implications for Health and Medicine
The findings suggest that Dayak onion could become an important resource in the search for plant-based antibacterial agents. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise globally, scientists are exploring natural compounds that may complement or enhance existing antimicrobial treatments.
According to the researchers from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, the evidence gathered from recent studies indicates that Dayak onion extract has clear inhibitory potential against Escherichia coli, although further research is needed to standardize extraction methods and determine optimal dosages.
The research also highlights the importance of preserving traditional knowledge about medicinal plants. Many natural remedies used by local communities have not yet been fully explored through modern scientific methods. Studies like this help bridge traditional practices and contemporary biomedical research.
Beyond pharmaceutical development, the antibacterial properties of Dayak onion may also have potential applications in food safety, natural preservatives, and herbal health products.
Continuing Research on Herbal Antibacterial Compounds
The authors emphasize that additional laboratory and clinical studies are necessary before Dayak onion can be widely used as a medical treatment. Future research should examine toxicity levels, dosage safety, and effectiveness in living organisms rather than only laboratory cultures.
Nevertheless, the systematic review strengthens the scientific evidence supporting the antibacterial properties of this Indonesian medicinal plant.
As Dito Anurogo from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar notes in the study, the accumulated findings from recent research demonstrate that Eleutherine palmifolia shows measurable inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and deserves further investigation as a potential natural antibacterial resource.
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Journal website:https://journaleajmr.my.id/index.php/eajmr
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