Anti-bacterial, anti-mycobacterial and anti-fungal properties of punica granatum as natural dye

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the anti-mycobacterial, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal effects of dry/fresh pomegranate peel ethanol/methanol extracts, and the dyeing performance and antimicrobial effects of dyed fabric samples with pomegranate peel ethanol extract. Materials and Methods: Anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra/H37Rv and two-clinical M. tuberculosis strains, and anti-bacterial activity against eight bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and anti-fungal activity against five fungal pathogens (Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium proliferatum) were determined by microplate assay. The anti-microbial activity of dyed fabric samples (30/ 1 Rib and single jersey 100% cotton) as well as their coloring properties, were investigated using the parallel streak method (AATCC 147). Results: Extracts showed the anti-mycobacterial efficacy between MIC 7.81-31.25 ??g/ml and MBC 31.25-250 ??g/ml, respectively against four strains of M. tuberculosis. Also, each extract showed anti-bacterial activity between MIC 0.97-62.50 ??g/ml and MBC 7.81-250 ??g/ml and anti-fungal activity between MIC 31.25-125 ??g/ml and MBC 125-250 ??g/ml. While control and mordanting of fabric samples did not show any inhibition zones, significant anti-microbial activity against S. aureus was obtained after dyeing using dry peel on fabric samples without mordant. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable information for future applications of natural dyes in textiles. The anti-mycobacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties of pomegranate could be significant in developing a model for drug design.