Study on antibacterial and flavonoid content of ethanolic extract of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel

Pomegranate is known for it's many health benefits. These benefits are due to the biological active compounds which are present in the pulp as well as in the peel of the pomegranate. The active compounds from the peel were obtained using cold percolation method using ethanol as solvent. Antibacterial activity of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) was studied on E. coli, E. coli NCIM 2065, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi B, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, S. aureus, S. aureus NCIM2079, Shigella flexneri, Lactobacilus casei var shirota by agar well diffusion method. All organisms were sensitive to the extract with inhibitory concentration ranging from 25mg/mL-100mg/mL except Lactobacilus casei var shirota which was resistant to even 100mg/mL concentration of PPE. Flavonoid content of the extract was found to be 10mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract.