Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Session: 2
Evelyn Sadler - Central State University
Co-Author(s): LUBNA F. ABU-NIAAJ , Central State University , Wilberforce, OH
The fruit peel is often discarded despite its high content of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. With the increasing demand for resources of bioactive compounds, studies focus on commercializing the use of fruit peel for pharmaceutical benefits especially from fruits recognized for their nutritional value. Pomegranate fruit has beneficial nutritional properties and there is a large production of pomace during the industrial production of its juice which is popular in the food industry. Aim: This main study goal is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of pomegranate peel ethanolic prepared at different temperatures on selected bacteria associated either with human diseases or food spoilage. Material and Methods: The tested Gram positive bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus. The Gram negative bacteria are Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum and Sarcina aurantiaca. Using agar-well diffusion method, variant concentrations of the different extracts were placed in wells of the pre-cultured agar plates. Control wells had the same volume of alcohol in the concentration used to prepare the ethanolic extracts. The growth inhibition was determined either by measuring the inhibition zone around the well or by observing smaller-size colonies around the well. Results: Compared to control plates, ethanolic extracts showed a significant antimicrobial activity on all the bacteria used. The extracts prepared at higher temperature showed a greater inhibition zones reflecting a stronger antibacterial activity. With prolong incubation almost all tested bacteria still remained inhibited. Conclusion: It appears that both extracts of pomegranate peel, ethanolic and aqueous, are a good source for bioactive compounds that can commercially be used. Our future goal is to determine the mechanism of bacterial growth inhibition and to evaluate the antifungal activity of pomegranate peel extracts.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): LSAMP
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lubna F. Abu-Niaaj, Labu-niaaj@centralstate.edu
Role: The entire work