Antifungal potential of cloud-point extract obtained from horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) waste

Abstract

In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of a cloud-point extract (CPE) derived from the peels of horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus) was evaluated. By employing cloud-point extraction, a cutting-edge extraction technique, bioactive phytochemicals were effectively isolated from the peels, yielding a rich concentration of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. The antifungal activities of the extract, including growth inhibition, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and time-kill kinetics, were tested against phytopathogenic fungal species isolated from fruits, namely Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., and Geotrichum sp. The extract exhibited notable antimicrobial properties, with inhibition zones measuring between 16 and 31 mm, and MIC values ranging from 3.75 to 60 mg/mL. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified several phenolic compounds within the CPE, including p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, catechin, syringic acid, and vanillic acid. These findings suggest that the CPE of horned melon peels holds noteworthy promise as a natural antimicrobial agent, with potential applications in food preservation and safety. Furthermore, this research indicates the potential of suppressing fungal growth on fresh fruit samples as well, since the work included monitoring the development of fungal contamination on grape samples coated with CPE extract, encouraging the sustainable extraction and application of natural bioactive compounds.

Keywords

• cloud-point extraction
• horned melon peels
• antifungal activity
• phytochemical analysis