Phytochemical investigations of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) rind extracts and their antibacterial activity

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit rich in phytochemical bioactive compounds. Punica granatum L belonging to the family Punicaceae is described as an ingredient in remedies and is a widely used plant having medicinal properties. Having served as a symbolic fruit since ancient times, pomegranate (Punica granatum L) gained considerable recognition as a functional food in the modern era. Present study reports the phytochemical analysis which has been carried out on the peel (rind) extract. Rind of pomegranate (Punica granatum) was extracted using Methanol as solvents. Phytochemical investigations included qualitative detection of phytochemicals .This phytochemical investigation results shows the presence of phenols , tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, quinones, steroids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids in Methanol extracts.The antibacterial activity of extracts were also evaluated by agar diffusion method against Staph aureus, E.coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methanolic extracts of pomegranate rind was most effective in inhibiting the growth of Staph.aureus showing 22 mm of diameter of zone of inhibition followed by Ethanolic extract against Staph.aureus with 19 mm diameter of zone of inhibition followed by E.coli with 21 mm diameter of zone of inhibition by methanol extract and 17 mm of diameter of zone of inhibition by ethanol extract. Work is under progress on new emerging AI technologies for detailed analysis of phyto-chemicals in Punica granatum rind. AI provides new approaches for screening the main components and pathways of single herb or prescriptions, and predicting the mechanism of action.