Background: The frequently encountered microbial resistance from common antibiotics used for topical treatment have increased the interest towards the exploration of antimicrobial compound from natural products. Among various Indonesian herbs, Curcuma mangga Val. and Etlingera elatior have been traditionally used in combination and previously individually studied for their antibacterial activity towards the skin microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Objectives: Since previous studies have not determined the antimicrobial effect of these extracts in combination, this study aimed to investigate the synergistic antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts of these plants. Materials and Methods: The extracts were obtained via maceration with ethanol for both plants. Microbial cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were grown in broth with Curcuma mangga Val. and Etlingera elatior extracts in varying concentration. The MIC and FIC were determined using broth dilution method. Results: The major chemical constituents are expected to be compounds from phenolic and terpenoid classes. The result is expected to inhibit bacterial growth for every species of the bacterial culture with synergistic activity in the combination of the extracts. Conclusion: In this study we would be able to confirm the presence of the synergistic activity of Curcuma mangga Val. and Etlingera elatior ethanolic extracts against the chosen normal and pathogenic skin microbes.

Key words: Curcuma mangga Val., Etlingera elatior, Ethanol extract, Antimicrobial, Synergistic