Antibacterial and Anticandidal Activity of Ethanolic Extracts of Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) Peel, Sudan

Introduction: Pomegranate fruit is grown in Sudan and used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract against common clinically important bacteria and Candida albicans. Methods: Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) peel was purchased from the local market in Wad Medani, Gezira State. The extraction was carried out by alcoholic maceration and examined against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonae, and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The well-diffusion method was used for antimicrobial testing. Results: Different concentrations of extracts; 200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6, 3 and 1.5 mg/ml, exhibited strong antibacterial and anticandidal activities. The maximum diameter of inhibition zones was observed against gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli followed by Klebsiella pneumonae. Conclusion: The current finding could highlight the Pomegranate fruit as a potential source of new antimicrobial agents.