Abstract
Medicinal plants may be exposed to a wide range of microbial contamination during pre- and post- harvest stages and they can present high microbial counts. In this study, the microbial quality of 44 samples of dry herbs namely: mint (Menthaspp.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), summer savory (Satureja hortensis), zataria (Zataria multiflora), Indian valerian (Valeriana wallichii), their brewing and extracts were analyzed. Total count using plate count agar medium (PCA), coliform count by Violet Red Bile Agar (VRBL), Enterobacteriacea by Violet Red Bile Glucose (VRBG) were evaluated. Medium Baird-Parker agar (BP) medium and Tryptone Bile X-Gluc (TBX) medium were used for the isolation and enumeration of Staphylococcus aurous and E. coli spp. respectively. Furthermore, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar medium (XLD) and Bismuth Sulfite Agar medium(BSA) were used for detection of Salmonella spp. Fungal and mold contamination was assessed using yeast extract glucose chloramphenicol agar. The results showed that the contamination of the samples with total count (100%) and Enterobacteriaceae (85%), total coliform (83%), mold and yeast (98%) and E. coli ssp. (2.27) were detected, including in the study samples the absence of pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aurous, Salmonella spp. Moreover, the extract had a lower microbial load in comparison to dry herb samples. Also, the lowest and the highest of contamination rates were observed for Indian valerian and zataria, respectively. According to the results, there is a need to control the environmental conditions and improve hygiene in the production process; even more, it is recommended to choose a suitable decontamination method for disinfection during packing medicinal plants and during post-packing manipulation and transport.
Highlights
Medicinal plants are important considering human health, being a valuable tool for disease prevention and treatment
Many researchers such as Abba et al (2009), Abou Donia (2008), Abou-Arab et al (1999), Aguilera et al (2005), Anotonia et al (2010), Nagy et al (1998), Banerjee and Sakar (2003), Chomnawang et al (2003), Hashem and Alamri (2010), Kocic-Tanackov et al (2007), Kosalec et al (2009), Sospedra et al (2010), Mandeel (2005), Martins et al (2001), Tournas and Katoudas (2006), studied the microbial load of medicinal plants and spices and they reported the presence of different contamination including pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, fungi, molds, mesophilic aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae
The results showed that the medicinal plant samples were contaminated by total count (100%), Enterobacteriaceae
Summary
Medicinal plants are important considering human health, being a valuable tool for disease prevention and treatment. Medicinal plants and spices are contaminated by different contaminations during harvesting, handling, transportation and storage (Grecz et al, 1986) Many researchers such as Abba et al (2009), Abou Donia (2008), Abou-Arab et al (1999), Aguilera et al (2005), Anotonia et al (2010), Nagy et al (1998), Banerjee and Sakar (2003), Chomnawang et al (2003), Hashem and Alamri (2010), Kocic-Tanackov et al (2007), Kosalec et al (2009), Sospedra et al (2010), Mandeel (2005), Martins et al (2001), Tournas and Katoudas (2006), studied the microbial load of medicinal plants and spices and they reported the presence of different contamination including pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, fungi, molds, mesophilic aerobic bacteria (total count) and Enterobacteriaceae. The microbial load in aqueous extract, alcoholic extract and brewing of these plants were evaluated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
