MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSES OF SOME SELECTED HERBAL MIXTURES SOLD IN NIGERIA

Over the years, medicinal plants have played significant role in traditional medicine practice. The rise in health-related problems, and the search for potential treatments and possible cures has led to the increased patronage of herbal drugs in Nigeria. there is an overwhelming increase in the production and distribution of herbal drugs and the trend has called for concern on the quality of the products been sold in Nigeria. thus, the primary purpose of the present study is to analyze the microbiological and phytochemical constituents of Okanga powder, Goko cleanser and Deep root herbal mixtures popularly sold in Nigeria. The phytochemical tests conducted on the herbal products revealed that the herbal products contain alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins, and saponins. The result of the microbial count indicates the presence of varying microorganisms such as S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella sppin the herbal products. The study concludes that the herbal products possess active phytochemicals, however, the presence of pathogenic organisms were discovered in the herbal drugs.