PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL STUDY ON RIND OF THE FRUIT EXTRACT OF Punica granatum Linn.

V. E. Ida Christi*, S. Mohan, S. Swarna Kumari, T. K. Sreehari, R. Karthiyaraj, N. K. Franklin

ABSTRACT

Punica is a small genus of fruit bearing deciduous small tree. According to legend, pomegranates grew in the Garden of Eden, and the fruit has been used as a folk medicine for thousands of years.[1] Pomegranate fruit peel is a rich source of polyphenoles, and also contain potentially pharmacologically active chemicals including the sapogenin steroid, Chlorogenin, flavonoids etc.[2] Peel contain phenolic punicalagins, gallic acid and other fatty acids, catechine and some flavonoids, flavons and anthocyanins.[3] This present study reveals an account of updated information about some of the physicochemical characters, phytochemical nature, antimicrobial activity and antioxidant activity of aqueous and alcoholic extract of the fruit rind. Here the physicochemical parameters like ash values, extractive values and total fiber contents were estimated. The total phenol and flavonoids content, inorganic minerals like sodium and potassium were estimated. The flavonoid present in the rind was isolated and its Rf values were calculated by HPTLC method, and it was compared with that of the standard epicatechine. The antioxidant activity of the alcoholic extract was evaluated by Reducing power ability, DPPH method and Hydrogen peroxide methods. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts were screened for their antibacterial and anti fungal activities and compared with that of the standards like Amikacin and Ketakonazole. The alcoholic extract shows significant antioxidant activity and both extracts shows good antimicrobial activity, but the aqueous extract is more active towards all bacteria and fungi organisms. This plant drug consist of polyphenols and flavonoids, it may have the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, it has been used for many applications in food preservations, pharmaceuticals, Neutraceuticals and natural therapies.

Keywords: epicatechine, pharmacognosy, Neutraceuticals, Amikacin, Ketakonazole.