Evaluation of Several Herbal Medications Supplied in Owerri, Imo State for Microorganism

Abstract

Herbal medications are used commonly for the management of a range of health disorders including typhoid fever, sexually transmitted infections, haemorrhoids, stomach aches, diabetes, headache, skin infections and toothache and for weight reduction. Despite their medicinal relevance and widespread use, herbal medicines may be subject to microbial contamination due to insufficient preparation, handling, storage and packing. This study was undertaken to analyse the microbiological quality of some selected herbal medications sold in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Forty (40) samples of packaged herbal medication were randomly acquired from the vendors of herbal medicine at some specified places, Wetheral Road, Mbaise Road, Douglas Road and Okigwe Road, all within Owerri metropolis. Microbiological investigation of the samples was done using MacConkey agar, Nutrient agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and incubated at optimum temperature. Isolates were identified on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The results revealed that some of the herbal remedies were contaminated with the bacteria and fungi. Interviews with sellers showed that some of the preparations were diluted with water after boiling which may create a chance for microbial contamination after manufacture. Other risks of infection include unclean or non-sterile containers, packing materials, handling during vending and prolonged exposure to ambient conditions. The presence of bacteria in herbal remedies after boiling indicates that contamination may happen after the thermal treatment, especially by addition of water, sugars, preservatives and other ingredients or by poor handling and storage. The study stresses the need for more hygienic preparation, adequate packaging, safe water use, proper storage and routine microbiological quality control of herbal medicines to safeguard customers and assure their safety and therapeutic quality