ABSTRACT: The rising incidence of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses has increased the demand for novel treatment strategies. This study explores the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Pantoea septica MOP, isolated from the medicinal flower Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether P. septica MOP could provide a natural alternative to synthetic antibiotics and mitigate oxidative damage. P. septica MOP was tested against human pathogens, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, to assess its antibacterial efficacy. The results revealed that P. septica MOP significantly inhibited several pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with notable inhibition zones. With an inhibitory zone of 18 ± 0.84 mm, Staphylococcus aureus showed the greatest sensitivity at 80 µg. The antioxidant activity study demonstrated significant efficacy, with the sample reaching 72.54 ± 0.62% and the standard ascorbic acid showed 95.03 ± 0.75% at the maximum concentration of 100 µg. These findings suggest that P. septica MOP from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis possesses both antibacterial and antioxidant properties, making it a promising candidate for natural antibiotic alternatives. The study highlights the potential of plant-associated microbes in developing novel therapeutic agents and highlights the importance of exploring natural resources to address antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress-related diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of these bioactivities and their therapeutic potential.

KEYWORDS: Pantoea septica; Hibiscus rosa-sinensis; Drug-Resistant Pathogens; Bioactive Compounds; Optimization; Antimicrobial; Antioxidant