Antimicrobial potential of pomegranate peel: a review
Summary Pomegranate peel (PoP) is a byproduct of the fruit juice processing industry, comprising nearly 30–40% of fruit portion. PoP is rich in polyphenols (phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids particularly anthocyanins) which are known to have diverse biological functions including effectiveness against pathogenic microorganisms. PoP has shown a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity ( AMA ) of PoP against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. It also presented promising AMA against antibiotic resistant microbial strains such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus . The high levels of polyphenols, particularly punicalagin and ellagic acid, present in PoP have been responsible for its antifungal properties. PoP is effective against many fungi including both pathogenic ( Aspergillus flavus ) and opportunistic pathogens. These activities of PoP may be exploited as a phytomedicine for humans, in order to eliminate the use of antibiotics and reducing their cost. This review provides collective up‐to‐date information on the efficacy of plant‐derived AMA of PoP.