Resumen

TORRES ROJAS, Mausy Lorena et al. Microbiologic analysis of medicinal plants using ethylene oxide. Rev Cubana Farm [online]. 2007, vol.41, n.2. ISSN 0034-7515.

From prehistoric times, use of curative plants is one of the more ancient and widespread medical therapies, (Wust, 2003). Each culture has developed its folk medicine traditions, with remedies and rituals using native plants. Health World Organization (HWO), by means of some statements, has expressed its role as for need to assess use of medicinal plants within health scope, considering that 80% of world population depend on these ones as for health primary care (Alonso, 1998). In face of this need, and on concern about supply of high quality products, research performed allow us to assess some of raw materials, e.g.: Boldo (Pneumus boldus), Calédula (Calendula officinalis), Sen (Casia angustifolia Vahl), Fucus ( Fucus vesiculosas L), and Spirulina (Spirulina maxima), with a high demmand in market. Aim of this study was to assess microbiologic quality, and to establish if sterilization process using ethylene oxide had an significative effect on the raw material to be assessed. Authors made a count of aerobe mesophile microorganismes, fungi, yeasts, and absence/presence tests for pathogen microorganisms like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella s.p., Clostridium perfringes, and Staphylococcus aureus. These test were performed using specific culture media: TNS, EMB, CETRIMIDE, XLD, B.P., OGY (fungi and yeasts), and Plate Count (aerobe mesophiles). Results from study samples allows us to obtain significant data, related to sterilization, as well as the mesophile, fungi, yeasts count. In above samples, befor sterilization, we found microorganisms like: Citrobacter, Serratia, Klebsiella, Staphyulococcus, Clostridium, and Pseudomonas. Some were found in Caléndula and Sen samples after sterilization using Ethilene oxide.

Palabras clave : Medicinal plants; microbiologic analysis; ethilene oxide.