Anti‐Quorum Sensing Activity of Pomegranate Seed Extract and Inhibition of Biofilm Formation in <i>Aeromonas hydrophila</i>

ABSTRACT Quorum sensing (QS) affects biofilm development and motility in aquatic pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila . This study examined pomegranate ( Punica granatum ) seed extract (PS) and its phenolic‐enriched fraction for anti‐quorum sensing and antibiofilm properties (PE). Ellagic acid, gallic acid, catechin, and rutin were found by LC–MS. PS effectively suppressed early biofilm development and swimming motility without affecting bacterial growth. PE had a MIC of 10 mg/mL, and sub‐MIC (100 µg/mL) reduced C4‐HSL synthesis by 87%. The gene expression study demonstrated ahyI, ahyR, and lafA downregulation. These findings imply that pomegranate seed waste may be a promising natural QS inhibitor for biofilm‐associated illnesses.