Bacteriological Assessment of Some Traditional Herbal Formulations Sold in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State Nigeria

Salwa Kabir Ahmed1, Ummu Khulsum Muhammad1, Umar Balarabe Ibrahim1, Mudasiru
Iyanda Omowale Raji2, *Sherif Abdullahi1, Aliyu Abdulrasheed Adamu1, Abdullahi Abubakar
Danwanzam1, Muhammad Mustapha Zako1 and Aminu Yusuf Fardami1

1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

*Corresponding author’s Email: kabirsalwa428@gmail.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.special.006


ABSTRACT

Traditional herbal formulations are widely used in Sokoto Metropolis for managing various ailments. However, concerns regarding their microbial safety are issues largely unaddressed. This study aimed at assessing the bacteriological composition of herbal formulations sold in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State Nigeria. Powdered herbal samples were bought from various sales outlets and analysed under standard procedures. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts from the samples collected were enumerated. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the isolates were analysed. Antibiogram test was then carried out on the pathogenic bacteria isolated. The results of bacterial counts ranges from 1.2×108 cfu/g to 5.0×106 cfu/g. A total of five (5) bacterial species were identified biochemically with varying frequency of occurrence as Bacillus brevis (10.5%), Paenibacillus apiaries (5.26%), Staphylococcus aureus (26.3%), Bacillus cereus (36.8%) and Bacillus smithii (21%). Five isolates of S. aureus were identified and each were given a code name as MTf, Fp5, MgP5, Psp5 and Olp5 respectively. The results of antibiogram test conducted on all the five isolates of S. aureus indicated that the isolates were susceptible to different antibiotics tested. Isolate FP5 showed the largest zone of inhibition for levofloxacin (41mm), indicating its high susceptibility, while other isolates exhibited varying resistance or susceptibility degrees each antibiotic. Amoxicillin (APX30µg) and Rifampicin (R25µg), showed no inhibition zone for all the isolates, indicating complete resistance. The presence of bacterial contaminants in herbal formulations poses a detrimental effect to human. Therefore, their pathological characteristics in herbal formulations underscores the need for stringent quality control measures to ensure consumers safety.

Bacteria,
Herbal Formulation,
Antimicrobial,
S. aureus.

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