Ten common herbal medicines sold in Calabar Metropolis were evaluated for their phytochemical constituents, possible contaminants and antibacterial properties using standard microbiological methods. A total of twelve (12) different bacteria and five (5) fungi were isolated from the selected herbal medicines with Penicillium spp. and Candida spp. having the highest frequency of occurrence 33.33% (7/21), followed by Bacillus spp. 23.81% (5/21). Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp. and Proteus spp., all had a frequency of occurrence of 14.28% (3/21). Flavobacterium spp., Klebsiella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus had a frequency of occurrence of 9.52% (2/21). Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Fusarium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Serratia spp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis all had a frequency of occurrence of 4.76% (1/21). The mean total viable bacteria count for UMU was 27.7 + 3.39 x 109 cfuml-1, UAE 24.5 + 4.98 x 108 cfuml-1. The count for others was within the acceptable limits. The phytochemical screening of the herbal medicines showed reducing compounds and polyphenol to be present in much excess amount (+++) in 50% and 30% of the sampled herbal medicines respectively. Alkaloids were present in excess amount (++) in 70% of the herbal medicines. Cardiac glycosides were present (+) in 90% of the herbal medicines sampled, while saponin was absent (-) in 80% of the herbal medicines sampled. Tanin was present in 60% of the selected herbal medicine. Phlobatanins, triperpenes, anthraquinones and hydroxylmethyl anthraquinones were absent (-) in 80%, 70%, 90% and 80% respectively of the herbal medicines sampled. The frequency of susceptibility of the test bacteria to herbal medicines was: Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus 70%, Salmonella typhii and E. coli 60%, Proteus vulgaris 40%, Streptococcus faecalis 20% and Micrococcus spp. 10%. AAP could not inhibit any of the test bacteria while DAH herbal remedy was effective against all the test bacteria with zones of inhibition ranging from 9.50 to 20.88 mm. The MIC of the various herbal medicines was: CNB, EPL and UMU ≥1000mgml-1, GBM and AAP 625mgml-1, OCB and UAE 565mgml-1, DAH herbal remedy and AMB 95mgml-1 and NH2 herbal remedy 535mgml-1. The MBC for the herbal medicines was 1125mgml-1 for NH2 herbal remedy and GBM; 1250mgml-1 for OCB, UAE and AAP. That of DAH herbal remedy and AMB was 200mgml-1 and 300mgml-1 respectively while that of CNB, EPL and UMU was ≥2000mgml-1. This result reveals a high level of bacteria and fungi contaminants in herbal medicines sold in Calabar and makes need for intervention.
