Abstract: This study examined microbial contamination in herbal medicinal products in Jaintia Hills Districts, Meghalaya, India. Analysis of 40 samples revealed widespread bacterial and fungal growth, exceeding safety limits in 30% of samples. Also, Aerobic bacteria counts ranged from 64 × 10^5 to 130 × 10^6 CFU/g, surpassing WHO and Ayurveda Pharmacopeia of India guidelines. Similarly, 87.5% of samples showed significant fungal growth, with 12.5% exceeding safety limits. Bacterial analysis revealed E. coli (35%) which indicates fecal contamination and poor hygiene. S. aureus (53%) suggests poor handling and preparation practices. P. aeruginosa (20%) is another indicator of poor hygiene and potential contamination. The presence of these pathogens in herbal products is a serious concern globally, and it's crucial to address this issue to ensure consumer safety. The three pathogens E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa can cause a range of health problems, from mild to severe, including gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain), skin and wound infections, respiratory problems (pneumonia, bronchitis), life-threatening conditions (sepsis, meningitis, urinary tract infections).

Keywords: Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPs), World Health Organization (WHO), Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Total viable count (TVC), Colony forming units (CFU), Jaintia Hills Districts, Meghalaya, India

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2024.11548