Microbiological quality of vegetable drugs commercialized in open-air markets for use in infusion preparations according to the part of the vegetable used.

The microbiological quality of different parts of vegetable drugs, commercialized in an open-air market, and intended for use as infusion preparations was compared. Total viable aerobic microorganisms, fungi, total and fecal coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae counts demonstrated lower sanitary quality in drugs composed of roots than those composed of leaves and caulis. E. coli was identified in some samples, but all of them were free from Salmonella sp.