Comprehensive Study and Impact of Microbial Growth on Treated and Un-Treated Herbal Extracts

Abstract

Purpose of Study: The purpose of the study is to determine the presence of microorganisms in the herbal thick extracts which are being used in different phyto pharmaceutical industries for manufacturing of different dosage form designs to cure a wide range of disorders in humans. No doubt, medicinal herbs have been effectively used by our ancestor’s as remedy for curative functions but the high growth of natural and pathogenic microorganisms impede their efficiency, rather present safety issues. In present study, therefore the effect of microbial activity has been determined in untreated and treated conditions.

Methodology: This study was carried out at the research lab, Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University, Karachi and R&D unit, Herbion Pharmaceutical (Pvt.) Limited, Karachi Pakistan. The effect of microbial activity has been determined in untreated (without any treatment) and different treated conditions (heat treatment, addition of preservatives and heat treatment along with preservatives) to find out the most satisfactory technique for microbial control without harming natural constituents of plants thick extracts.

Result: A high rate of bacterial and fungal count was observed in untreated raw plant extract. After treatment with heat, however, led to remarkable reduction of microbial growth (>10³cfu/g). It is observed after heat treatment for an hour and heat treatment along with preservatives for 30 minutes.

Conclusion: A remarkable effect on microbial growth can be observed in the herbal extracts through use of combination of preservatives and treatment for 30 minutes at 80°C temperature. However, no significant depletion in microbial activity was visualized after application of preservation and evaporation technique alone.