ACUTE TOXICITY TEST OF ROBUSTA COFFEE LEAVES EXTRACT USING BRINE SHRIMP LETHALITY TEST (BSLT)

Abstract

Robusta coffee leaves (Coffea canephora) are known to contain secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, and steroids, which have the potential to exhibit pharmacological bioactivity. However, the toxicity profile of these leaves has not been widely reported. This study aims to determine the acute toxicity of the ethanol extract of robusta coffee leaves using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) method. Extraction was carried out through the maceration method using 96% ethanol, followed by ethanol-free tests and phytochemical screening. The BSLT was performed on Artemia salina L larvae. with various concentrations of extracts, and a Lethal Concentration value of 50% (LC50) was calculated based on larval mortality after 24 hours. The results showed that the ethanol extract of robusta coffee leaves contained flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, and steroids, with an LC50 value of 139.378 ppm, which was classified as moderately toxic. These findings suggest that the ethanol extract of robusta coffee leaves has the potential for acute toxicity according to the BSLT method and can be used as a basis for further research on the exploration of cytotoxic activity.

Keywords: Coffea canephora, BSLT, Artemia salina L., acute toxicity, LC50