Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms in Herbal Medicines Sold in Aba Metropolis and Their Resistance to Conventional Antibiotics

Authors

  • Christianah Jesubunmi Glorybound International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
  • Nduka C. ThankGod Clifford University, Owerrinta, Ihie Campus, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Charles C. Chigbu Clifford University, Owerrinta, Ihie Campus, Abia State, Nigeria
  • Lawrence E. Okonko Clifford University, Owerrinta, Ihie Campus, Abia State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59652/0ejy9720

Keywords:

herbal medicine, microorganisms, conventional antibiotics

Abstract

Herbal medicines are widely used, but their microbiological quality may be compromised during production, handling, storage, or distribution. This study isolated and identified microorganisms from herbal medicines sold in Aba metropolis, Nigeria, and assessed the susceptibility of bacterial isolates to conventional antibiotics. Eleven herbal medicine samples were subjected to microbiological analysis. Bacterial contamination was reported in 64% of samples and fungal contamination in 91%; 45% of samples were described as highly contaminated with bacteria because colony counts were too numerous to count. Bacterial isolates included Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Actinomycetes spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bacillus spp., Enterobacter spp., and Micrococcus spp. Fungal isolates included Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium spp., Trichosporon spp., and Mucor spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that ciprofloxacin and gentamicin had activity against most bacterial isolates, while Staphylococcus spp. displayed the greatest overall resistance. These findings indicate substantial microbial contamination of the sampled herbal medicines and support the need for stronger microbiological quality control and good manufacturing practices.

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Author Biographies

  • Nduka C. ThankGod, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Ihie Campus, Abia State, Nigeria

    Department of Biological Science (Microbiology unit)

  • Charles C. Chigbu, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Ihie Campus, Abia State, Nigeria

    Department of Bilogical Science (Microbiology unit)

  • Lawrence E. Okonko, Clifford University, Owerrinta, Ihie Campus, Abia State, Nigeria

    Department of Biological Science (Biology unit)

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Published

2026-09-27

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): Annals of Innovation in Medicine

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Annals of Innovation in Medicine

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Jesubunmi C, Nduka T, Chigbu C, Okonko L. Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms in Herbal Medicines Sold in Aba Metropolis and Their Resistance to Conventional Antibiotics. AIM [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 27 [cited 2026 Oct. 17];4(3). Available from: https://journals.eikipub.com/index.php/AIM-Medicine/article/view/966

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