Microbial contamination of turmeric capsules produced at a secondary government hospital in the northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Keywords: Microbial contamination, turmeric capsules, secondary government hospital, quality control

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of turmeric capsules produced at a secondary government hospital in the northeastern Thailand following the Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

Methods: The six lots of turmeric capsules that produced less than three months were included in this study. The total aerobic microbial and total combined yeasts and molds were counted. Contamination of coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp. and Clostridium spp. were also investigated using selective media.

Results: All six lots of turmeric capsules had exceeded both total aerobic microbial count and total combined yeasts and molds count. However, coliform bacteria was less than 3 most probable number/g. E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., and Clostridium spp. were absence.

Conclusion: All six lots of turmeric capsules were failed the microbiological quality of the Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Thus, microbial contamination of turmeric capsules produced at this hospital should be improved.