Abstract

Punica granatum L. is an important medicinal plant in Morocco. Several researches were focused on antimicrobial activity of different pomegranate extracts, only few were on traditional preparations. To optimize and enhance the traditional use of this plant, aqueous extracts (decoction, infusion, maceration) of pomegranate fruit peels were examined for its antibacterial activity against some strains of human pathogenic bacteria. The sensitivity test performed with commonly used antibiotic test discs showed that majority of the bacteria tested are multiresistant to antibiotics. In spite of this, the plant extract was found to be more or equally effective as compared to standard antibiotics. Also, the decoction has a higher bactericidal activity with inhibition zones ranging from 12.3 to 30.3 mm, and minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.048 to 3.12 mg/ml. The results provide a scientific basis for the centuries-old usage of aqueous extracts of this medicinal plant.

Key words: Antibiotic resistance, aqueous extracts, bactericidal activity, Punica granatumL.