Evaluation of microbiological and physicochemical profile of some herbal preparations manufactured by pharmaceutical and herbal manufacturers in Bangladesh

Abstract

The aim of this study was to scrutinize the physicochemical and qualitative microbial examination of 30 different (of various dosage forms) herbal medicinal products marketed by pharmaceutical and herbal manufacturers in Bangladesh. The microbial evaluation included total viable aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, fungi and Staphylococcus aureus count; physicochemical properties like weight variation, hardness, disintegration time, friability and density. The IMViC (indole, methyl red, Voges–Proskauer and citrate utilization) tests were frequently employed for identification of E. coli and S. aureus. Total viable aerobic bacterial counts in the samples analyzed were ranged from 3.8 × 10⁴ to 3.2 × 10⁸ CFU/ml or CFU/g and 36.67 % were within BP standard limit. S. aureus was detected in 53.33 % (16) of the samples, ranged from an estimated 3 × 10² to 9.2 × 10⁶ CFU/ml or CFU/g which were above the USP standard. E. coli was detected in 40 % (12) of the samples, ranging from 1 × 10² to 4.8 × 10⁴ CFU/ml or CFU/g that were above the USP standard. The ranges of the fungi counts were 3.4 × 10³–3.1 × 10⁶ CFU/ml or CFU/g and 46.67 % of which were within BP standard. Physicochemical properties of herbal products manufactured by pharmaceutical manufacturers were found better than that of the herbal manufacturers. From the label and pack insert of herbal products, definite release pattern information weren’t obtained and the majority of herbal products showed scattered disintegration time. In order to reduce the potential health related complications, there is necessity of constant monitoring and control of the standards of herbal medicine products available in the Bangladeshi market.