Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate peel against Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing bacteria

Abstract EN

Background: Pomegranate (Punica granatum ) is an ancient, mystical, unique fruit with potential antimicrobial activity.

Objective: This study was performed to explore the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate peel against extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia , Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila).

Material and Methods: 100 swabs were collected from the skin of burned patients.

The bacterial strains were identificated according to their cultural , morphological , microscopically and biochemical characteristics, then subjected to ESBL-producing screening by double-disc synergy test.

The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate peel were prepared by using a Soxhalet apparatus and their antimicrobial activities were studied and compared with a commercial antibiotics against tested bacteria by using agar well diffusion method.

Results: Out of total 100 swabs, only three isolates produced ESBLenzyme, namely (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila).

Both extracts showed an effective antibacterial activity against all these bacteria.

The ethanolic extract was found to be more effective than aqueous one against all the tested microorganisms.

Conclusion: The pomegranate peel extracts have a strong antimicrobial activity against extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria.

Therefore it is an important source of new antimicrobial compounds to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacterial.