Antibacterial activity and chemical characterization of almond (Prunus dulcis L.) peel extract

Abstract

In this study, almond skin of Prunus dulcis L. variety Casteltermini was characterised for its chemical composition and for the inhibitory activity towards food associated microorganisms belonging to pathogenic (Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytgenes), spoilage (Pseudomonas poae and Brochotrix thermospacta) and useful (Levilactobacillus brevis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) groups. The n-hexane extract of P. dulcis skin, investigated by GC–MS, evidenced linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids as the main abundant compounds. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33862 growth was strongly limited by n-hexane extract and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was 25.5 mg/mL. These results highlight the potential of almond by-products as food bio-preservatives as well as pharmaceutical products.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Chemical composition
• Prunus dulcis L.
• n-Hexane extract
• antibacterial activity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico (Italy) – Project title: “Innovazioni tecnologiche bio-based e potenziamento dell'economia circolare nella gestione degli scarti da lavorazione primaria di mandorle biologiche con elevate potenzialità agroindustriali” # F/200037/01- 03/X45.