Antibiofilm Sustainable Strategies: Pomegranate Extract from Agri-Food Waste as a Natural Antifungal Against Emerging Candida Pathogens

Daniela Sateriale^1*Giuseppina Forgione²Sharon Raucci¹Jabbar Abdul¹Roberta Imperatore¹Chiara Germinario¹Chiara Pagliuca²Roberta Colicchio²Mariateresa Vitiello²Mariano Mercurio¹Marina Paolucci¹Paola Salvatore²Caterina Pagliarulo^1*

• ¹University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy
• ²Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy

Candida spp. infectious diseases are among the major causes of morbidity, especially among immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Several virulence factors contribute to its pathogenicity, including its dimorphic transition, production of germination tubes and biofilm formation. Biofilms, in particular, enhance resistance to antifungal agents and immune responses, posing a major clinical challenge. This makes Candida biofilm-related infections a significant clinical challenge and highlights the need for novel, effective, and sustainable therapies, with agri-food waste emerging as a promising source of bioactive compounds. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the antifungal properties of polyphenol-rich pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract against both traditional and emerging Candida species, with a focus on its potential to inhibit key virulence mechanisms involved in fungal pathogenesis. A hydroethanolic pomegranate peel extract was tested for its antimycotic activity, through both qualitative and quantitative assays, and for its ability to inhibit germ tube formation and biofilm development, against Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis fungal clinical isolates. According to obtained results, the extract exhibited significant antimycotic activity, showing both fungistatic and fungicidal effects against all tested strains, due to its demonstrated ability to interfere with the permeability of the fungal membrane. In addition, it showed the ability to inhibit germ tube formation and biofilm development, notably including both the inhibition of adhesion and the disruption of pre-formed biofilms, even on common plastic materials used in medical devices. Overall, these findings offer new insights into the anti-Candida properties of pomegranate peel extract, emphasizing its ability to target multiple crucial pathogenic determinants. The results of this study contribute to the development of alternative therapeutic solutions against emerging biofilm-related fungal infections through sustainable strategies that start from local agri-food industry byproducts.