Analysis of Microbial Contaminants in Herbal Medicines Sold in Matebeleland North Province, Zimbabwe 2025

Abstract

The utilization of herbal medicines for both prevention, treatment and management of disease is on the rise in the world hence a rising costs and general inaccessibility of conventional medicines due to various factors. The preparation, storage, transportation and administration processes of herbal medicines is generally without the necessary supervisory processes and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices is compromised. In Zimbabwe and indeed Matabeleland North Province, the use of herbal medicines is on the rise as predicted and confirmed by the World Health Organization. With this increased utilization of herbal medicines comes the likelihood of contamination during the preparatory, storage and administration stages. This is a cross sectional study which sought to analyse the extent of this contamination in order to contribute to informing the necessary interventions for achievement of safer methods and achievement of Good manufacturing Practices. 104 samples of herbal medicines sold at various sites in Matabeleland Province and 102 water samples collected at various sites as well were analyzed using Colilert method of analysis. Analysis of coliforms and E. coli in various samples of the water used to prepare these herbal medicines was carried out in duplicate using Colilert following strict manufacturer’s instructions and the techniques established by Standard Methods in order to establish their presence .The study`s results revealed significant findings with regards to the safety and suitability for use for herbal medicines sold in Matabeleland North as well as the water used to prepare and compound them. The microorganisms and contaminants most commonly isolated from microbial analyses on the market herbal medicines and those directly obtained from herbalists were S. aureus (62.5%), Salmonella spp. (44%), E. coli (32%), and P. aeruginosa (18%). Of the 102 water samples analyzed,42 (41%) had total coliforms, and E. coli was observed in 46 (45%), making them completely unfit for human consumption. The liquid herbal medicine preparations administered orally were the most frequently contaminated. They are results that need to be considered by the relevant stakeholders if the safety for herbal medicines is to be improved