Abstract:Objective To prepare nano-copper oxide (CuO) antibacterial paper from pomegranate peel extract and analyze its properties. Methods The polyphenols in Tunisian soft-seeded pomegranate pericarp were extracted by Soxhlete extraction method, and the main polyphenolic compound, punicalagin, was co-precipitated with Cu2+ to immobilize nano-CuO. A nanoCuO antibacterial paper was prepared with antibacterial activity of metal and polyphenol substances using hydrothermal method. The antibacterial properties of the synthesized antibacterial paper were tested by inhibition circle test. Results The nano-CuO antibacterial paper was successfully prepared with methanol extract of pomegranate peel (10 g pomegranate peel powder + 100 mL methanol). The optimal preparation scheme of antibacterial performance was: 1.0 mol/L impregnated copper sulfate solution at 60 °C for 600 s. The antibacterial paper synthesized under these conditions showed good inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with average inhibition zone diameters of (20.5±0.8) mm and (18.2±0.4) mm, respectively. Conclusion The nano-CuO antibacterial paper synthesized from the mixture of pomegranate peel methanol extract has good antibacterial effects on E. coli and S. aureus.