Microbial analysis of spices and herbs obtained from market places around Gweru CBD

ABSTRACT

The importance of spices and herbs as dietary supplements and alternative medicines to Zimbabwean society has increased in recent times. The popularity of these substances has come largely as a result of the dire economic situation prevalent in Zimbabwe which has engendered the dramatic collapse of the country„s healthcare system. In spite of the numerous therapeutic claims that have been associated with spices and herbs sold openly in the streets, they pose a genuine threat to the public if they become contaminated prior to their sale. Previous studies have shown that bacterial contamination is very common on substances vended openly in the streets. A study was carried out at Midlands State University to assess the safety of spices and herbs vended in the Gweru CBD area by analyzing their microbial quality. This study was done between June 2018 and August 2018. Samples of ginger, garlic, turmeric and basil were collected randomly from vendors operating outside OK supermarket, Pick „n pay supermarket, and TM. Enumeration, Isolation and identification of bacteria was carried out using inoculum prepared from the samples using standard microbiological methods. Three species of bacteria namely; S. enterica, S. aureus, and E.coli were isolated from the samples, and it was observed that 76.3% of all samples were contaminated. Bacterial counts were done and basil had the highest mean and range for the counts. S. enterica was the most prevalent bacteria isolated. Findings from this study show that spices and herbs sold openly in the Gweru CBD are unsafe for consumers, and more should be done by the vendors and public health officers to ensure that these substances are safe for consumption.