Pomegranate Peel Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, Methods of Extraction, and Its Application: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Pomegranate peel, derived from the processing of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate), has traditionally been considered agricultural waste. However, recent studies have revealed its potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological effects. Pomegranate peel is a rich reservoir of antioxidants, polyphenols, dietary fiber, and vitamins, which contribute to its remarkable bioactivity. Studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, wound healing, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties of pomegranate peel owing to the presence of phytochemicals, such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, and punicalagin. The extraction of bioactive compounds from pomegranate peel requires a careful selection of techniques to maximize the yield and quality. Green extraction methods, including pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), offer efficient and sustainable alternatives to traditional methods. Furthermore, pomegranate peel has been utilized in the food industry, where it can significantly enhance the nutritional value, organoleptic characteristics, and shelf life of food products. Pomegranate peel has the potential to be used to develop innovative functional foods, nutraceuticals, and other valueadded products, providing new opportunities for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Punica granatum Lythraceae peel extract against pathogens belonging to the ESKAPE group

“…In this context, several research studies, published in the last 20 years ( Singh et al, 2023 ), highlighted that the fruit of the pomegranate, Punica granatum L. , possesses various pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, PPE is a nutrient by-product of the fruit that is becoming abundant due to an exponential increase in the production of pomegranate products ( Argov-Argaman et al, 2020 ).…”

Pomegranate peel: Bioactivities as antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents

“…This study showed that the PPEs were not toxic to fibroblasts treated with all the tested concentrations of PPEs. Multiple studies reported that the tropical application of PPE induced the wound healing via promotion of collagen production and stimulation of several growth factors (Singh et al., 2023 ). Further clinical studies can be helpful to assess the potential of different PPEs to heal wounds.…”

“…The displayed antibacterial activity was against a group of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria including Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes (Belgacem et al., 2020 ), Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella and Bacillus spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Clostridia , and Yersinia enterocolitica (Akhtar et al., 2015 ; Sorrenti et al., 2019 ; Wu et al., 2018 ). Despite the many extraction techniques used to highlight the importance of pomegranate peel as a source of bioactive compounds for industrial uses, collective findings are inconsistent due to the lack of standardized methodologies for extracting the most effective bioactive materials (Singh et al., 2023 ). This makes it difficult to assess the sufficient and safe use of pomegranate peel in industrial applications, especially those relevant to food preservations and pharmaceutical uses.…”

The polyphenolic compound punicalagin protects skin fibroblasts from UVA radiation oxidative damage

“…Punicalagin, a polyphenol found in the peel of the pomegranate ( Punica granatum L. ), is a natural compound capable of exerting anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, wound healing, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. This bioactive compound develops its multiple pharmacological effects mainly through its antioxidant activity ( Singh et al, 2023 ). In a recent paper, punicalagin was delivered to the mouse brain using an intracranially injectable therapeutic hydrogel ( Ju et al, 2023 ).…”