Abstract
Background: Multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant threat, necessitating the development of new antimicrobial agents. Medicinal plants have been explored for their antimicrobial potential, with pomegranate peel being a rich source of bioactive compounds. Studies in Palestine and elsewhere have highlighted the antimicrobial properties of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) against various pathogens. Objective: It was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extract of Pomegranate peel on some species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and Candida albicans. Methods: Aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts of pomegranate peel were prepared and tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including clinical isolates, and Candida albicans. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. Results: PPE exhibited good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including S. aureus and MRSA, with the methanolic extract being the most effective. However, VRSA remained resistant to all extracts. Variable results were observed for Gramnegative bacteria, with P. aeruginosa being the most susceptible P. vulgaris showed sensitivity to the ethanolic extract. Notably, all extract types demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, with the methanolic extract being the most potent. Conclusion: Pomegranate peel extract possesses antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens, with variations based on the type of extract and the target microorganism. Methanolic PPE, in particular, showed strong activity against Candida albicans. These findings suggest the potential use of PPE as an alternative antimicrobial agent in combating infectious diseases, particularly those caused by Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans.