Antimicrobial potential of polyphenols extracted from almond skins.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of flavonoid-rich fractions derived from natural and blanched almond skins, the latter being a by-product from the almond processing industry.


RESULTS
Almond skin extracts were tested against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens), Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus hirae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus durans) and the yeast Candida albicans. Almond skin fractions were found to have antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes and Staph. aureus in the range 250-500 microg ml(-1), natural skins showing antimicrobial potential against the Gram-negative Salm. enterica. The interactions between three almond skin flavonoids were also evaluated with isobolograms.


CONCLUSIONS
Pairwise combinations of protocatechuic acid, naringenin and epicatechin showed both synergistic and indifferent interactions against Salm. enterica and Staph. aureus. Antagonism was observed against L. monocytogenes with all combinations tested. Further studies need to be performed to understand the mechanisms responsible for these interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Almond skins are a potential source of natural antimicrobials.
Mandalari
G
G
Pharmaco-Biological Department, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, Messina, Italy. giusy.mandalari@bbsrc.ac.uk
Bisignano
C
C
D'Arrigo
M
M
Ginestra
G
G
Arena
A
A
Tomaino
A
A
Wickham
M S J
MS
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols