LAGUNA – Ethanolic extract from arrowroot rhizomes may become a promising natural antibacterial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a dangerous hospital-acquired bacterium known for its strong resistance to antibiotics. The finding was published by Jhon Michael Celerio, Angelo Emralino, Sophia Gutierrez, and Asnar Aloro from Laguna State Polytechnic University in the Philippines.
The study appeared in the 2026 edition of the International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research and highlights the growing global concern over antibiotic resistance and hospital-acquired infections.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered one of the most difficult bacteria to treat because of its ability to survive multiple antibiotics and form protective biofilms. The bacterium commonly infects immunocompromised patients, individuals with open wounds, burn victims, and patients using medical devices such as catheters or ventilators.
Researchers noted that hospital-acquired infections remain a serious problem across Southeast Asia, with Indonesia recording one of the region’s highest prevalence rates. The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics has encouraged scientists to search for safer and more sustainable alternatives from natural sources.
The research team focused on Maranta arundinacea, commonly known as arrowroot, a tropical plant traditionally used as a starch source in food production. Although widely known for its carbohydrate-rich rhizomes, arrowroot also contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and phenols.
These compounds are known for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Flavonoids can disrupt bacterial membranes and suppress biofilm formation, while saponins act like natural detergents that weaken bacterial cell walls.
The laboratory-based experiment was conducted over eight weeks. Researchers collected arrowroot rhizomes from mountainous areas in Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines. The rhizomes were dried and extracted using 60 percent ethanol before being tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures.
Different concentrations of the extract, including 40 percent, 70 percent, and 100 percent, were evaluated and compared with a control group containing ethanol alone.
The findings revealed that higher extract concentrations produced stronger antibacterial effects. The 100 percent arrowroot extract generated an average inhibition zone of 5.5 millimeters and was categorized as effective. The 70 percent concentration produced a 5-millimeter inhibition zone and was also considered effective.
Meanwhile, the 40 percent concentration produced a 4.05-millimeter inhibition zone and was considered moderately effective. The control group only produced a 2.4-millimeter inhibition zone and showed minimal antibacterial activity.
Statistical analysis confirmed that the differences were scientifically significant, with a p-value of 0.0014. This means the antibacterial effects observed were unlikely to occur by chance.
According to Sophia Gutierrez and the research team, the results demonstrate that arrowroot ethanolic extract contains promising antimicrobial properties against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The antibacterial activity is believed to result from the combined action of multiple bioactive compounds found in the rhizomes.
The study also highlights the untapped pharmaceutical potential of underutilized tropical plants. Arrowroot, which is commonly processed into flour and traditional food products, may also serve as a valuable source of medicinal compounds for future antimicrobial development.
However, the researchers emphasized that the current study was conducted only in vitro under laboratory conditions. Additional research is still needed to evaluate safety, toxicity, dosage, and effectiveness in living organisms before any medical application can be considered.
Future studies are expected to isolate the most active antibacterial compounds and compare their effectiveness with conventional antibiotics. Researchers also suggested exploring synergistic combinations between plant extracts and antibiotics as a possible strategy against global antibiotic resistance.
Asnar Aloro from Laguna State Polytechnic University explained that tropical biodiversity offers enormous opportunities for developing sustainable plant-based antimicrobial products. Natural antibacterial compounds may become increasingly important as modern medicine continues to face the growing threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
The findings support the global scientific trend toward exploring natural bioactive compounds as alternative solutions to combat emerging superbugs and antibiotic-resistant infections.
Author Profile:
Jhon Michael Celerio, Angelo Emralino, Sophia Gutierrez, and Asnar Aloro are researchers from Laguna State Polytechnic University, Philippines, focusing on microbiology, plant bioactive compounds, natural antibacterial agents, and antimicrobial research.
Research Source:
“Antimicrobial Effect of Arrowroot Rhizome Ethanolic Extract Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa”
International Journal of Scientific Multidisciplinary Research (IJSMR), Vol. 4, No. 5, 2026.
0 Komentar