Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Peels

Peels of vegetables are generally considered as waste products and are normally thrown away by us. But different studies conducted on peels revealed the presence of important constituents. A number of components are isolated from potato peels which have different properties like antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative etc. The present study was designated to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of potato peels. The methanolic extract of dried potato peel showed an appreciable DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing ability. Total phenolic content was also higher in potato peel extract. Secondary metabolite screening of the methanolic extract of potato peels showed the higher levels of flavonoids. The antibacterial activity of methanolic extract of potato peel was determined by agar well diffusion method and it showed significant effect on growth inhibition of gram positive (Bacillus amyloiquefaciens and Staphylooccus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).