Resumo

RICHER, Yolanda; SILVA, Ana; GARLISI, Daniela  e  RUIZ DIAZ, Stephany. Microbiological Quality of macerated medicinal plants used for the consumption of Tereré in Asuncion and the Great Asuncion regions of Paraguay. Rev. cient. cienc. salud [online]. 2019, vol.1, n.2, pp.44-50. ISSN 2664-2891.  https://doi.org/10.53732/rccsalud/01.02.2019.44.

Introduction. In Paraguay, 269 species of medicinal plants are used, either for preventive, curative or palliative purposes. Objective. To evaluate the microbiological quality of macerates of medicinal plants used for the consumption of the Tereré in Asunción and Gran Asunción between July and August 2018. Materials and method. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, not probabilistic for convenience, was carried out in180 samples of the macerated medicinal plants (Mentaí, Kokü and Santa Lucia) marketed in 45 sales positions. Results.All 180 samples were contaminated with bacteria (Gram Negative Bacilli); 75.6% with fungi, 7.22% with intestinal protozoan parasites, of which 5% corresponded to Blastocystis hominis, 2.2% to Entamoeba coli, and 0.6% to intestinal helminths (Strongiloides stercoralis). On the other hand, algae contamination was observed in 77.8% of the samples.The results show serious deficiencies in the microbiological quality of the macerates of the three medicinal plants studied. There is great variability in the microbial load and types of microorganisms present. High contamination with bacteria that have an impact on health was determined and fungi, algae and intestinal parasites that represent risks to human health were also found. With the results obtained, it is suggested that the direct consumption of medicinal plants may represent a risk to human health, so it is necessary to improve the hygienic quality of said medicinal plants.

Palavras-chave : medicinal plants; bacterium; teas, herbals; intestinal diseases parasitic.

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