Pomegranate plant (Punica granatum L.) composition, antioxidant activity, therapeutic effect, antimicrobial activity - A review

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important edible fruit. The peel and seeds are the major by-product of pomegranate processing industries. The pomegranate peel, aril and seeds are important sources of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, ellagitannins, and proanthocyanidin compounds, minerals, mainly potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium, and polysaccharides. Peels and seeds of pomegranate have been proposed as source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial active compounds.