UNSOED PKM Team: New Innovation for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Antibacterial Production
[unsoed.ac.id, Tues, 23/08/22] The Covid-19 pandemic that has occurred since 2019 has caused an increase in patients in every hospital. Patients with Covid-19 who are being treated are very susceptible to other infections, especially by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are found in various places such as soil, water, and other objects including medical equipment. Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection becomes difficult because the bacteria will continue to multiply, mutate, and become resistant to antibiotics, so an appropriate antibacterial is needed to reduce the bacterial population. This is what underlies the research. The PKM team was chaired by the chairman Zaskia Alifia with members Nurianah Tri Puji Astuti, Misbachul Syurur R, and Rizqi Afifah, and guided by Mr. Anung Riapanitra, Ph.D.
The PKM team from the chemistry department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences made a new innovation in the manufacture of photo-antibacterial Pseudomonas Aeruginosa using the semiconductor metal Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO4) with Nigella sativa extract added.
The size of BiVO4 belongs to the nanoparticle scale range. Nanoparticles have been found as a practical and environmentally friendly method as a substitute for various physical and chemical methods that are not environmentally friendly. Nanostructures can be produced from metallic or semi-conducting materials with the help of substrates. Bismuth Vanadate has been shown to have excellent photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation.
Zaskia Alifia said this research began by extracting Nigella sativa which was then used as a bioreductant in the synthesis of Bismuth Vanadate. Furthermore, Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO4) that has been made was tested on media containing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacteria to determine its effectiveness. "The research we have done shows excellent antimicrobial activity so that it can be considered as a new nano antibiotic for the future," said Zaskia Alifia.
#unsoedmajuterus