Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Algerian prickly pears and two cultivars dates (Mech-Degla and Frezza)

This research aims to evaluate the biological activities and physicochemical characterization of the Algerian prickly pear and two varieties of dates (Mech-Degla and Frezza). The phenolic content of these fruits was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Then, antioxidant activities were studied using two different methods. The antimicrobial activities of the fruit were tested against four bacterial strains and two fungi and then compared to commercial antibiotics. Mech-Degla extract showed a strong antibacterial and antifungal inhibitory effect evaluated against S. aureus, Streptococcus spp, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, G. capitatum, and Candida spp. While Frezza date extract and prickly pear showed a weak effect against some bacterial strains, they had no inhibitory effect on fungi. The antimicrobial activity of Mech-Degla is superior to amikacin, ampicillin, and gentamicin. The Frezza variety had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by Mech-Degla and the low iron reduction capacity is related to prickly pears. The tested fruits had high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. This study confirms those species' antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties and the critical effect of natural antibiotics compared to synthetic ones.