Fruit peels are a major byproduct of processing food and are not currently used commercially, but they can be a potential antimicrobial agent. As microorganism resistance to marketed antibiotics is a prime concern nowadays, the current study evaluated the antibacterial activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts of peels of banana (Musa acuminate), pomegranate (Punica granatum), and orange (Citrus sinensis) against four pathogens Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Results showed that pomegranate extract was the most effective against four pathogenic bacteria were Highest zone of inhibition (25.2 ±1.2mm) with Staphylococcus aureus, then (21.5 ±1) with Salmonella enterica then (18.3 ±1.6mm) with Escherichia coli and the lowest was (15.3 ±1mm) with Enterococcus faecalis. Banana and orange extract inhibition zone were ranged between (9 ±0.9 and 19 ±1.4). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was found the least was pomegranate extract (3.125 mg/mL) with Staphylococcus aureus, and the highest MIC was (25 mg/mL) of banana and orange with Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.
The current investigation demonstrates that the fruit peel residues studied can be used therapeutically to treat multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. This will also help to decrease trash and reuse it in a cost-effective and ecologically beneficial manner.