Abstract
One hundred and thirty-eight medicinal herbal drugs obtained from different suppliers were examined for microbial contaminants and for the detectability of pathogenic microorganisms. For this purpose, several microbiological standard parameters (total aerobic mesophilic count, enterobacteria, coliforms, aerobic sporeformers, yeasts and moulds, enterococci, lactobacilli, pseudomonades and aeromades) and selective methods for the detection of indicator microorganisms and pathogens (E. coli, enterohaemorrhagic E. coli [EHEC], Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria, coagulase-positive staphylococci, Candida albicans, potentially aflatoxigenic moulds) were applied. The microbial load of the samples varied considerably. While none of the samples contained EHEC, Salmonellae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeriae, Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans, four samples were E. coli positive, two samples were presumptively Campylobacter jejuni positive and nine herbal drugs contained a potentially aflatoxigenic mould flora. Further details regarding different viable count classes as well as preparation techniques are discussed.
Key words
Medicinal plants - herbal drugs - microbiological quality
References
-
1 Holm G, Herbst V. Teil B: Drogenkunde. In: Botanik und Drogenkunde 6. Aufl. Stuttgart; Deutscher Apotheker Verlag 1998: 117-24
-
2 Europäisches Arzneibuch. 5.1.4 Mikrobiologische Qualität pharmazeutischer Zubereitungen. Verlag Österreich, Österreichische Staatsdruckerei AG 3. Ausgabe 1997, Nachtrag 1999: 308-9
-
3 Wichtl M. Allgemeiner Teil. In: Teedrogen und Phytopharmaka. Ein Handbuch für die Praxis auf wissenschaftlicher Grundlage. 3. Auflage. Stuttgart; Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH 1997: 5-31
-
4 Schneider G, Hiller K. Ätherische Öle. In: Arzneidrogen. Heidelberg, Berlin; Spektrum Akademischer Verlag 1999: 267-317
-
5
Dorman H JD, Deans S G.
Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils.
Journal of Applied Microbiology.
2000;
88
308-16
-
6
Hammer K A, Carson C F, Riley T V.
Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts.
Journal of Applied Microbiology.
1999;
86
985-90
-
7
Basilico M Z, Basilico J C.
Inhibitory effects of some spice essential oils on aspergillus ochraceus NRRL 3174 growth and ochratoxin A production.
Letters in Applied Microbiology.
1999;
29
238-41
-
8
Cosentino S, Tuberoso C IG, Pisano B, Satta M, Mascia V, Arzedi E, Palmas F.
In vitro antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Sardinian Thymus essential oils.
Letters in Applied Microbiology.
1999;
29
130-5
-
9
Arici M.
Degradation of mycotoxins by microorganisms.
Ernährung/Nutrition.
1999;
23
298-301
-
10
Kerr J R.
Bacterial inhibition of fungal growth and pathogenicity.
Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease.
1999;
11
129-42
-
11
Kneifel W, Berger E.
Microbiological criteria of random samples of spices and herbs retailed on the Austrian market.
Journal of Food Protection.
1994;
57
893-901
-
12
Brantner A, Lücke W.
Influence of physical parameters on the germ-reducing effect of microwave irradiation on medicinal plants.
Pharmazie.
1995;
50
762-66
-
13
Lutomski J, Kedzia B.
Mycoflora of crude drugs. Estimation of mould contaminations and their toxicity.
Planta Medica.
1980;
40
212-7
-
14
Frank B.
Mikroorganismen in Drogen. Der mikrobiologische Status von Drogen und Drogenzubereitungen und seine Beurteilung.
Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung.
1989;
129
617-23
-
15
Graf E, Scheer R.
Keimzahlverminderung in Drogen und Hilfsstoffen.
Pharmazeutische Industrie.
1980;
42
732-44
W. Kneifel
Department of Dairy Research & Bacteriology
University of Agricultural Sciences
Gregor Mendel-Str. 33
1180 Vienna
Austria
eMail: kneifel@edv1.boku.ac.at
Fax: +43-1-47654-6122
Telefon: +43-1-47654-6103
