Microbial evaluation of commercial samples of dried Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) fruit rind procured from Herbal drug market in Kerala, India

Abstract

Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) is one of the most popular and highly reputed drug used in Ayurveda. In Kerala, the dried fruit rind is used either as single or in combinations. In many ailments, it is directly administered for the internal use. As the fresh fruit contains more than 80% of water content, the chances of microbial contamination cannot be neglected in the dried drug and its formulations. The present study was undertaken to assess the microbial contamination in dried Amalaki fruit rind available in herbal raw drug markets in Kerala. 28 commercial samples (1 urban and 1 rural) of dried Amalaki fruit rind were collected from each 14 districts of Kerala. The microbial growth in the market samples were compared with the dried fruit rind of genuine sample and also with the standards mentioned in API. On microbial evaluation, Aspergillus flavus (6/28), Aspegillus niger (11/28) and Escherichia coli. (2/28) were mainly detected in market samples.