Novel Approach to Address Vibrio vulnificus Pollution Amidst Climate Change: Harnessing the Potential of Punica granatum L. Peel Extracts

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially lethal pathogen, poses a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of climate change. This study explored a pioneering strategy that combines microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology and molecular docking techniques to combat V. vulnificus pollution and harness the multifaceted potential of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) peels. Water and ethanol extracts of P. granatum L. peels have been investigated for their antioxidant, bioenergy generation, and anti-V. vulnificus activities. The major compound identified in these extracts is ellagic acid, known for its electron-shuttling capabilities and anti-V. vulnificus properties. These extracts displayed remarkable antioxidant activity, suggesting their potential to mitigate oxidative stress caused by environmental pollution and climate change-induced factors. Moreover, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were employed as a sustainable technology to generate bioenergy. Using P. granatum L. peel extracts as electron shuttles within the MFCs demonstrated promising results in enhancing energy generation efficiency, with maximal power densities of PG-E 1.67-fold and PG-W 2.13-fold. Molecular docking studies revealed the strong binding affinity of ellagic acid (LibDock score 110.872) to the V. vulnificus target, offering insights into the mechanisms behind its antibacterial properties. These findings may provide a new rationale for using P. granatum L. peels as a natural antimicrobial agent against V. vulnificus.