The Microbial Quality of Herbal Products

Background: Consumption of herbal products has increased dramatically during the last few decades. Although there have been allegations that herbal products are made in unsanitary conditions resulting in microbial contamination and health hazards consumed by patients. Aim: The study is aimed at investigating the microbial quality of commonly sold herbal products in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of seven (7) liquid herbal products (AB, GW, EC, IM, DR, GC and BM) were randomly purchased from local herbal shops and pharmacy shops in Abraka. Samples were aseptically measured out around the zones of a  Bunsen fame and the total viable bacteria and fungi counts of samples were determined using serial dilution and spread plate method. Results: The total bacterial count in the herbal products ranged from 1.8 x 106 to 7.5 x 106. Proteus spp had the highest frequency of occurrence with a percentage of 50% while Staphylococcus spp. occurred the least with a percentage of 10% while Candida spp. had the highest percentage occurrence for fungi isolates and Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus occurs less with percentage occurrence of 10 and 20% respectively. The study also revealed that Tarivid, Streptomycin and Gentamycin were susceptible to all bacterial isolated from the herbal products with average zone of inhibition of 18.25±1.39, 19.75±3.39 and 23.13±2.0.8 respectively. Conclusion: The finding of this study revealed that herbal products sold in Abrakawere contaminated with microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic and thus, these herbal products can serve as a means of spreading infections among the consumers. Keywords: Herbal, microorganism, bacteria, Abraka