Quagga: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Biologi
Vol 18 No 2 (2026): QUAGGA : Jurnal Pendidikan dan Biologi

Optimization of Antibacterial Production and Molecular Identification of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seeds

Esti Rizkiana Pratiwi (Universitas Maarif Hasyim Latif)
Nadiah Al Batati (Universitas Maarif Hasyim Latif)
Rizka Kusuma Ningrum (Universitas Maarif Hasyim Latif)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jul 2026

Abstract

Papaya seed endophytic bacteria have been reported to exhibit antibacterial activity against pathogenic microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. However, their antibacterial production remains suboptimal. This study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for antibacterial production and to identify the most potent bacterial isolate through 16S rRNA gene-based molecular analysis. Three endophytic bacterial isolates (CPA2, CPA8, and CPA9) were evaluated. Characterization was performed based on pH variations (5, 7, and 9) and growth media (Nutrient Broth (NB) and Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB)), followed by antibiotic sensitivity testing against ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, gentamicin, and tetracycline. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer method against S. aureus and E. coli. The results showed that all isolates grew optimally in TSB medium at neutral pH (7). Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline exhibited stronger inhibitory effects compared to gentamicin and amoxicillin. Among the isolates, CPA2 in TSB media pH 7 demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones of 30.2 ± 1.77 mm against S. aureus (very strong) and 11.8 ± 0.02 mm against E. coli (strong). Molecular identification revealed that isolate CPA2 was closely related to Bacillus cereus strain JCM 2152 with 99.90% similarity. In conclusion, papaya seed endophytic bacteria, particularly isolate CPA2, show significant potential as a source of antibacterial compounds under optimized culture conditions. These results have the potential as an alternative source of antibacterial agents

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Journal Info

Abbrev

quagga

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Education Immunology & microbiology

Description

Quagga: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Biologi (Journal of Education and Biology) (p-ISSN 1907-3089; e-ISSN 2615-5869) is a journal managed by the Biological Education Study Program, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education Universitas Kuningan (FKIP UNIKU). This journal is issued twice a year (January and ...