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This study aimed to investigate and compare the inhibitory efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus of tannin extracts obtained from cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale) and cajuput leaves (Melaleuca cajuputi), two plant species commonly found in southern Thailand, particularly in Narathiwat Province. Tannins were extracted from the leaves using 95% ethanol, and their antibacterial activity against S. aureus was evaluated at concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% (w/v) using the Disc Diffusion Assay method.

The results demonstrated that tannin extracts from both plant species inhibited the growth of S. aureus at all tested concentrations, with inhibitory activity increasing as the extract concentration increased. The tannin extract from cajuput leaves exhibited greater antibacterial activity than the tannin extract from cashew leaves at every concentration tested. At a concentration of 50% (w/v), the cajuput leaf tannin extract produced a mean inhibition zone diameter of 27.00 mm, whereas the cashew leaf tannin extract produced a mean inhibition zone diameter of 14.00 mm.

Since Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium commonly found in wounds and is a major cause of skin infections, the findings of this study indicate that tannin extracts from both cajuput and cashew leaves possess antibacterial activity against this pathogen, with the cajuput leaf extract showing superior efficacy. Furthermore, both plant species are local plant resources widely available in southern Thailand and Narathiwat Province. Therefore, they have potential for further development into natural products aimed at reducing the growth of bacteria associated with wound infections in the future.