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Microbial safety evaluation of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Fruit raw material: Bacterial diversity, Fungal incidence and Ergosterol analysis

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Government Science College, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India
  • 2Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER) Mysuru, Karnataka, India

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 15, Issue (3), Pages 42-46, July,2 (2026)

Abstract

The microbiological safety of crude herbal drugs significantly influences the safety, efficacy and shelf life of herbal formulations. Terminalia bellirica (Combretaceae), an important medicinal fruit and a key component of Triphala, is widely used in traditional medicine and nutraceutical preparations. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the microbial status of T. bellirica fruits collected from retail herbal markets of Mysuru, Karnataka. Microbial enumeration was carried out using the serial dilution technique, followed by isolation and characterization of bacterial and fungal contaminants. Detection of indicator pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella was performed using selective media and biochemical tests. Fungal contamination was further confirmed by estimation of ergosterol using TLC and LCMS methods. Results revealed substantial microbial contamination with average bacterial and fungal loads of 1.66×10⁷ CFU/g and 1.55×10⁵ CFU/g, respectively. A total of 27 morphologically distinct bacterial isolates were obtained, of which 70% were Gram-positive. Six out of eighteen samples were contaminated with E. coli. Nineteen fungal species belonging to ten genera were identified, with Aspergillusniger and A. flavus as predominant contaminants. Ergosterol(184.49 µg/kg) was detected in 15 samples, confirming potential fungal incidence. The study highlights the need for stringent microbial quality control measures for T. bellirica fruit raw materials used in herbal drug formulations.

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