Potential of Pometia pinnata Leaf Nano Powder in Stunting Prevention

Abstract

Matoa leaf (Pometia pinnata J.R. Forst & G. Forst.) is one of Indonesia’s endemic plants originating from Papua. Matoa leaves can be utilized as a preventive measure against stunting. Increasing the absorption of active ingredients in a preparation can be achieved by creating nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to test the potential of matoa leaf nano-powder as an additional ingredient to prevent stunting in children. The stages of this study include the preparation of nanoparticles using the Planetary Ball Mill (PBM) method, capsule preparation formulation, determination of total phenol and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity test, antibacterial test against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, determination of protein content, determination of carbohydrate content, determination of fat content, and determination of caloric value. Based on the results of this study, the antioxidant activity of matoa leaf nano-powder is very strong, with an IC50 value of 38.2078 ± 0.26 µg/mL, corresponding to total phenol and flavonoid levels of 232.3319 ± 14.66 mg GAE/g sample and 4.5288 ± 0.99 mg QE/g sample, respectively. Matoa leaf nanoparticle capsules exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria at a dose of 150 mg (12.61 ± 2.07 mm), a dose of 200 mg (13.4 ± 2.00 mm), and a dose of 250 mg (13.4 ± 2.00 mm). For Staphylococcus aureus, the inhibition diameters obtained with doses of 150 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg are 13.25 ± 0.78 mm, 13.81 ± 1.10 mm, and 14.13 ± 1.23 mm, respectively. The results of determining the total protein content of matoa leaf nano powder in the spectrophotometric method of 0.8571% and the Kjeldahl method of 11.2%, total carbohydrate content of 0.4617%, and crude fat content of 2.6916%, with a caloric value of 294.96 kcal / kg and 708.71 kcal / kg. It is concluded that matoa leaf nano powder has the potential to prevent stunting.