Antibacterial Potential of Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) Food in Batang Toru Forest Against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi

Diarrhea is a common disease affecting orangutans, primarily caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi bacteria. To treat this disease, antibacterial food sources are essential as therapeutic agents for orangutans. The fruits consumed by Tapanuli orangutans include Campnosperma auriculatum, Agathis borneensis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Castanopsis argantea, and Aglaia tomentosa. This study aims to examine the amino acid and phytochemical components with potential antibacterial properties in these five fruit species and their inhibitory effects on E. coli and S. typhi growth through cell lysis, observed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The samples were tested for amino acids, phytochemicals, vitamin C content, and antibacterial activity using the disc diffusion method, followed by observation of bacterial cells via SEM. C. auriculatum contained the highest amino acid levels, with significant values (pA. borneensis had high levels of L-Alanine, L-Threonine, L-Aspartic Acid, and L-Valine. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of glycosides and vitamin C in all five samples, while leucoanthocyanidins were detected in A. borneensis and A. tomentosa. C. auriculatum had the highest vitamin C content (58.00 ± 8.76 mg/100g). The strongest antibacterial activity against E. coli was observed in C. auriculatum at a concentration of 125 mg/mL (18.7 mm), while A. heterophyllus exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against S. typhi at the same concentration (10.5 mm). SEM analysis confirmed that the extracts of C. auriculatum and A. borneensis inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. typhi bacteria through cell lysis. C. auriculatum demonstrated the highest potential as an antibacterial candidate.