Bacteriology of Some Liquid Herbal Products Sold in Ilorin - Kwara State Nigeria
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Date
2019-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Science and Practice of Pharmacy.
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to establish the safety and/or
potential public health dangers associated with the
consumption of liquid herbal preparations (LHP) sold
in Ilorin-Kwara State.
Methods: Ten LHPs were randomly collected from
three locations, kept under cold chain and transported
to the Laboratory. All samples were evaluated for
bacterial load using aerobic plate count method and
bacterial isolates were presumptively identified using
standard microbiological methods. Furthermore, Gram
negative bacteria were identified using 12A Microbact
® Identification kits.
Results: Sixty percent (60%) were fresh and faint, 4
(40%) were stale and putrid in smell as well as free of
foreign matter. pH and bacterial load of samples
ranged from 3.60 to 9.75 and 2.5 x 102
to 4.4 x 106
CFU/ mL respectively. Five (5) genera of bacteria,
namely; Klebsiella species 10 (29.41%), Bacillus
subtilis 8 (23.53%), Enterobcter spps. 7 (20.59%),
Staphylococcus aureus 6 (17.65%) and Serretia
marcescens 3(8.82%) were isolated from these LHPs.
All isolates were resistant (100%) to Sulphamethoxazole trimethoprim combination.
Amoxocillin clavulanate was active against 62.50% of
K. pneumonia and S. marcescens isolates. Also 50% of
K. oxytoca and E. gergoviae were susceptible to
Amoxocillin clavulanate combination.
Approximately, 8 (80%) of LHPs had bacterial load of
2.5 x 102
to 4.4 x 106 CFU/ mL and 2 (20%) yielded
no growth. In addition, 40% of LHPs had bacterial load
of 106 CFU/mL beyond the 104 CFU/mL permissible
limit stated by European Pharmacopoeia.
Conclusion: The observed high bacterial load and the
presence of S. aureus as well as enteric bacteria of
public health importance in these LHPs underscore the
potential risk inherent in the consumption of these
preparations. Therefore, public health awareness
campaign on the dangers of unapproved LHPs
consumption should be instituted.
Description
Keywords
Liquid herbal preparations, Bacterial contamination, Ilorin metropolis
Citation
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