Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATANUM L. (POMEGRANATE) PEEL EXTRACT

Pooja G. Singh, Madhu S. B., Raghu N., Murugesan Karthikeyan, Ashok Gnanasekaran, Chandrashekrappa G. K., Raviraja S. and Kanthesh M. Basalingappa*

Abstract

Pomegranate is a functional food of great interest, due to its multiple beneficial effects on human health. This fruit is rich in anthocyanin and ellagitannin, which exert a protective role towards degenerative diseases. Whole fruits or peels of pomegranate were subjected to several extraction methods. The obtained extracts were analysed for TPC, TFC, TAC and tannins contents. This was further evaluated for antioxidant capacity and tested for antimicrobial activity on microbes by using polar and nonpolar solvents extracts. Agar disc diffusion assay was conducted and methanol showed highest antimicrobial activity.

Keywords: Punica granatum, antioxidant, antimicrobial, DPPH, reducing power assay, Polyphenols, tannins.