Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Bacteria from Kumis Kucing Leaves (Orthosiphon aristatus Benth.)

Endophytic bacteria are in symbiosis with plants and can produce secondary metabolites similar to those produced by their host. Kumis kucing (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a traditional medicinal plant that has been proven to have many pharmacological activities, including antiviral and antibacterial. This study aims to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria from kumis kucing leaves. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from kumis kucing leaf by spreading method on Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) media and incubated at room temperature for 24 hours. Colonies that grew with bacterial morphology were inoculated on TSA media to obtain pure cultures. Pure cultures of isolates were identified through Gram staining, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and bacterial growth curves. There were 8 isolates with bacterial morphology which identified by Gram staining. The staining results showed that all were classified as Gram negative with rod and coccus shapes. Sequencing using the 16S rRNA gene identified 3 bacterial isolates, Acinetobacter schindleri, Pantoea agglomerans, and Pseudomonas lurida. The three bacteria have different time to reach stationary phases in order to produce their secondary metabolites.