Abstract
Watermelon white rind is thrown to the environment as agro waste producing ecological and environmental problems. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the medicinal properties of the rind to generate valuable health-promoting products. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared and screened for antibacterial activity against three pathogenic bacterial strains: two Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella sp.) and one Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of watermelon white rind have antagonistic effect against E. coli and Salmonella sp., While Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to both extracts. The diameters of inhibition zone of ethanolic and aqueous extracts against E. coli were 5.75±0.96 mm and 3.00±0.82 mm, respectively. Whereas, the diameters were 8.50±0.58 mm and 4.25±0.96 mm against Salmonella sp., respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed the existence of methionine, L-aspartic acid, glycyl-D-asparagine, 9-cis-retinoic acid, stearic acid allyl ester and ascorbic acid permethyl. These active compounds contributed definitely to the antibacterial activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts against the used pathogenic bacteria. As a result, the white rind could be properly handled and utilized to maximize the safe waste management.
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