Effect Of Preservative Agents On The Microbial Stability Of Some Indigenous Herbal Preparations

Abstract

The efficacy at preservative systems (methyl paraben, propyl paraben, EDTA and sodium benzoate) was evaluated in some liquid herbal medicines. Nine liquid herbal preparations commercially available in Mid West Nigeria were challenged with preservative combinations over a six weeks period. At the end of the six weeks period, the concentrations at viable bacteria and fungi were reduced to various levels by the different preservative combinations. The most ettective preservative combinations were that of methyl paraben/propyl paraben, followed by the combinations at EDTA/Methyl paraben/propyl paraben and EDTA/Sodium benzoate. The remarkable effect at the methyl paraben/propyl paraben combinations in preserving the herbal medicines imply they could adequately preserve liquid herbal medicines. 

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