Asian Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea leaves and sugar involving symbiosis between yeast and acetic acid bacteria. Ashoka flowers (Ixora coccinea L.) are rich in antioxidants. Strawberries contain flavonoids that can inhibit bacterial growth due to disruption of the DNA process, damage to cell membranes and protein denaturation in bacteria. Examples of pathogenic bacteria include S. aureus and S. epidermidis which usually attack the skin. Researchers are interested in conducting research by making a gel preparation that actively inhibits bacterial growth. The study was conducted by making fermented kombucha tea with a combination of Strawberries and Ashoka Flowers, making a gel preparation, testing activity against S. aureus and S. epidermidis bacteria, and testing antioxidant activity using the FRAP method. The results showed that the Fermented Tea Gel (Kombucha) Combination of Strawberries and Ashoka Flowers has antibacterial activity against S. aureus bacteria in the strong category in Formula F3 (MIC 10.9 mm), and has antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis bacteria in the moderate category in Formula F3 (MIC 9.06 mm). And Formulation F3 has antioxidant activity in the very strong category. Conclusion on this research is Kombucha contains Phenol and Acid content that can destroy bacterial cell walls. And with the addition of Strawberries and Ashoka flowers that contain phenolic and flavonoid compounds add to the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the gel.