Microbial and Heavy Metals Contamination of Herbal Medicines

Alwakeel, Suaad S.

doi:10.3923/jm.2008.683.691

Cited by 64 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The isolates that were susceptible to the antibiotics tested in this study was lower (59.4%) in comparison to a study by Alwakeel (2008) on microbial contaminants of herbal medicine who found that most (75%) of the bacteria isolated were sensitive to the antibiotics. The ability of bacteria to evolve mechanisms to resist attack by antimicrobials (Angulo et al, 2004) was recognized soon after the widespread deployment of the first antibiotics.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 87%

Bacteria Contaminants and their Antibiotic Sensitivity from Selected Herbal Medicinal Products from Eldoret and Mombasa, Kenya

Keter

Too²,

Mwikwabe

et al. 2016

American Journal of Microbiology

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Herbal products are used worldwide for the treatment and prevention of various diseases and currently represent a substantial proportion of the global drug market. However, these products have the potential of being contaminated by different microorganisms due to poor hygienic practices during handling, processing and packaging. The main aim of this study was to evaluate microbial quality of herbal products marketed to the general population in Eldoret and Mombasa, Kenya. The study employed an exploratory as well as laboratory based experimental design. The herbal products were purchased from the markets and transported to Kenya Medical Research Institute laboratories for processing and analysis. Microbial contaminants were determined according to Pharmacopoeias and World Health Organization standards. Microbial pathogens were isolated, identified and drug susceptibility test was done as per National Laboratory Standards Institute protocol. The herbal products were in-form of powders, liquids, tablets, oils and capsules. Bacterial contamination was observed in 90% of the total samples and those with >1000×10 4 cfu/gm or ml was 20% for Eldoret and 46% for Mombasa samples. Analysis of variance showed that the rate of microbial contaminants for Eldoret and Mombasa samples had no significant association (p = 0.084). Bacteria belonging to seven genera were isolated and antibiotic susceptibility test showed that 13.2% of the bacteria isolates were resistant. Multidrug resistance was observed with Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella sonnei, Serratia erwinia, Serratia liquefaciens and Proteus penneri. These findings imply that conditions during harvest or postharvest processing of herbal products were unsanitary. Proper handling and storage of herbs should be observed in order to reduce the amount of microbial contaminants. Only 16% of herbal product samples evaluated met the standards for microbial limits as specified in Pharmacopoeias. Thus, emphasis on improvement of plant material quality and establishing better hygienic conditions during production of herbal medicines is recommended.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 87%

Bacteria Contaminants and their Antibiotic Sensitivity from Selected Herbal Medicinal Products from Eldoret and Mombasa, Kenya

Keter

Too²,

Mwikwabe

et al. 2016

American Journal of Microbiology

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“…Several studies have shoWN A concern about the presence of contaminants in plants, teas, extracts, powders, herbal products, among others (Alwakeel, 2008;Caldas, Machado, 2004;Carvalho et al, 2010;Hussain et al, 2006;Jabeen et al, 2010;Lokeshappa et al, 2012;Rubio et al, 2012;Vulcano et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of metals in medicinal plants highly consumed in Brazil

Leal

Prado

Gomes

et al. 2013

Braz. J. Pharm. Sci.

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In this work, samples of the medicinal plants: Boldo (Peumus boldus), Castanha da Índia (Aesculus hippocastanum), Chá Verde (Camelia sinensis), Erva Cidreira (Melissa officinalis), Espinheira Santa (Maytenus ilicifolia), Guaraná (Paullinia cupana), Maracujá (Passiflora sp.), Mulungu (Erythrina velutina), Sene (Cassia angustifolia) and Valeriana (Valeriana officinalis) were evaluated BY using the Neutron Activation Analysis technique (NAA-k 0 ) in order to determine the levels of metals and other chemical contaminants. The results showed the presence of non essential elements to the human body. The diversity of chemical impurities found even at low concentration levels, considering the potential for chronic toxicity of these elements, reinforces the need to improve the implementation of good practices by growers and traders, and the hypothesis of lack of quality control in plant products. (AAN-k 0 ), a fim de se determinar os teores de metais e outros elementos químicos contaminantes. Os resultados revelaram a presença de elementos não essenciais ao organismo humano. A diversidade de impurezas químicas encontradas, mesmo em níveis de baixa concentração, considerando o potencial de toxicidade crônica desses elementos, reforça a necessidade de melhorias na aplicação de boas práticas pelos produtores e comerciantes e a hipótese de falta de controle de qualidade nos produtos vegetais.Unitermos: Análise por ativação neutrônica/análise quantitativa. Plantas medicinais. Metais/determinação em plantas medicinais. Contaminantes químicos/determinação em plantas medicinais. Produtos vegetais/ controle de qualidade.

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“…For lead, it should not be more than 2.0ppm. mercury ≤ 0.5ppm, cadmium ≤ 0.20ppm and aluminium ≤ 0.20ppm (Alwakeel, 2008;Ang, 2003, Caldas et. al., 2004).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Other micronutrients present are also essential in promoting adequate physiologic functions of the body. Iron is needed for blood cells, potassium for healthy nervous system and zinc for boosting immunity and performance of reproductive functions (Alwakeel, 2008). However, there are also maximum recommended doses allowed for these so called useful elements.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality evaluation of Poza bitters, a new poly herbal formulation in the Nigerian market

Elufioye

Awosika²

2015

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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Background: Development of a quality assurance system for new botanicals for health and nutrition is challenging. Producers must understand consumer demands and develop methods of production that meet those demands of product quality and efficacy, which exceeds or corresponds to international standards. The present article is an attempt to evaluate the quality of Poza bitters, a new polyherbal formulation, used as a purgative, by physical and analytical methods. Materials and Methods: Poza bitters was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites and microbial contamination. The pH, micronutrient and heavy metal composition analysis, as well as chromatographic fingerprinting using thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were also carried out. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoid glycosides. The pH value was 3.66. The sample assayed had acceptable level of microorganisms and toxic metals were absent. Thin layer chromatography of the sample using methanol/water/acetic acid (30:70:5) showed three spots with R f values similar to some of references used. High performance liquid chromatography fingerprint showed two retention times of poza bitters which were not similar to those of the reference standards: hesperidin and narigenin, thus suggesting the absence of these flavonoids in poza bitters. Conclusion: Poza bitters comply with WHO microbial standard as well as standards for heavy metals. Also, the presence of Aloe ferox and citrus was confirmed on TLC.

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Microbial and Heavy Metals Contamination of Herbal Medicines

Cited by 64 publications

References 13 publications

Bacteria Contaminants and their Antibiotic Sensitivity from Selected Herbal Medicinal Products from Eldoret and Mombasa, Kenya

Bacteria Contaminants and their Antibiotic Sensitivity from Selected Herbal Medicinal Products from Eldoret and Mombasa, Kenya

Determination of metals in medicinal plants highly consumed in Brazil

Quality evaluation of Poza bitters, a new poly herbal formulation in the Nigerian market

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