Abstract:
Pomegranate tree possesses a vast ethnomedical hist
ory and represents a phytochemical
reservoir of heuristic medicinal value. In the pres
ent study, total phenolics, antioxidant,
and antibacterial activities of pomegranate peel we
re determined by Folin–Ciocalteu, 2,2-
diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and disk-diffusion
methods, respectively, and
compared among the accessions. Methanolic extract g
ives higher total phenolics than the
water extract. Six phenolic compounds were identifi
ed and quantified in pomegranate
peel using the HPLC/ultraviolet method. The predomi
nant compound was gallic acid,
followed by ellagic acid, caffeic acid,
p
-coumaric acid, quercetin, and vanillic acid.
Antioxidant activity expressed as IC
50
varied among the cultivars and between solvents
and was highly correlated with the total phenolics.
All extracts were efficient against the
five tested bacteria. Statistical analysis revealed
three groups of accessions. The first
group showed a high polyphenol compound that had bo
th high antioxidant and
antibacterial properties. These findings support th
e improvement and the selection for
obtaining high products with well-defined functiona
l properties.
Key words
: DPPH, Disc diffusion method, Polyphenols,
Punica granatum
L.
