Public Health and Microbiological Analysis of Herbal Mixtures Sold at Various Locations of Owerri and its Metropolis: A Case Study of Common Practice among the Populace in the Study Area.

Abstract:

The use of herbal drugs has become a common practice among the populace in the study area. Its consumption rate is quite alarming in this recent times therefore the knowledge of its public health importance and microbiological safety should be periotized in all ramifications. This research was focused on assessing the microbial quality of different popular herbal preparations registered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) sold within South-West and South-South regions of Nigeria. The microbial diversity of some herbal drugs were examined by aerobic plate count method and microbial isolates were identified based on their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. A total of five (5) herbal samples from six (6) herbal products (Goko cleanser, Gogorigo, Boom, 7 keys) were analyzed and all were found to be free from pathogenic bacteria and indicator organisms of fecal contamination. However, “The presence of microbial contaminants in non-sterile pharmaceutical products in some herbal mixtures Y-herbal mixtures can reduce or even inactivate the therapeutic activity of the products and has the potential to adversely affect patient taking, the medicine." The possible contaminated organisms were isolated from these product, are E coli, staphylococcus aureus, bacillus sp ,Aspergillus sp proteus sp Rhizopus, penicillin. And the organisms isolated are the same with other finding results from other researchers that work on isolating microorganisms from herbal mixtures.