Evaluation of pomegranate (Punica Granatum l.) fruitpeels in food, cosmetic and herbal pharmaceuticalindustry

The pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.) is a bushy perennial tree species that can reach 2-5 meters in length. Turkey is within the borders of the homeland of pomegranate and has suitable features for its cultivation. In our country, there are some pomegranate varieties such as Hicaznar (Hicaz Narı), Fellahyemez, Lefan, Katırbaşılı, Ernar, Katırbaşılı, Ekşi Göknar, Erdemli Aşınar, Ekşilik. Pomegranate fruit has many health benefits besides its nutritional values. For this reason, it is evaluated in the functional food category. The peel of the pomegranate fruit is rich in phenolic substances thought to be beneficial for health. In this study, it is aimed to illuminate the possibilities of using Punica granatum L. fruit peels, which are found in the natural flora of our country, in the food, cosmetics and herbal medicine industry. Before the industrial scale production, laboratory scale extracts were prepared and total phenolic, total flavonoid and HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography) analyzes were performed on these extracts. The extraction solvent with the highest total phenolic quantity is 70% (g/g) ethyl alcohol using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The extraction solvent with the highest total flavonoid quantity is 40% (g/g) ethyl alcohol using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The extraction solvent with the highest amount of major active ingredient ellagic acid is 50% (g/g) ethyl is alcohol. In line with the results obtained from the preliminary studies, 50% (g/g) ethyl alcohol solution was accepted as the extraction solvent for industrial production. It is aimed to increase the yield by extracting the pomegranate peel with alcohol and water in equal proportions and separately. Pomegranate peel corresponds to approximately 40-50% of the fruit. As a result of the processing of pomegranate in the industry, these parts containing intense phenolics are often thrown away or used as animal feed. With the results obtained and the literature review, this study sheds light on the recycling of the discarded parts of the pomegranate to the food, cosmetics and herbal medicine industry and the possibilities for future use. Also, pomegranate fruit, which grows naturally in our country, can be seen as a potential source for obtaining drug candidate molecules.