Caracterização microbiológica, eficácia antimicrobiana e determinação de parâmetros físico - químicos de tintura de pega-pinto (Boerhavia diffusa L.)

Abstract

It is necessary to adopt a quality control system that guarantees reliability in relation to herbal products, especially in the consumer market, giving them security, efficiency and quality. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize parameters for quality control of pega-pinto root tincture produced at the Home Remedies Workshop, linked to the Center for Popular Education (CENEP), located in the city of Nova Palmeira-PB. For this, organoleptic characteristics (color and odor) were observed and the microbiological and physicochemical tests were carried out according to the specifications of the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia (2010). The determination of the total number of mesophilic microorganisms was performed by the plate count method in depth, the pathogen search aimed at the detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus using selectives culture mediums and the antimicrobial efficacy was given by the method of diffusion in agar versus E. coli. Characteristic constituents were determined by phytochemical tests, pH, relative density and solid residue were checked. Pega-pinto tincture showed yellowish coloration, characteristic soft odor, presence of particles in suspension and formation of precipitate. Count values of the total number of mesophilic microorganisms varied from 2,0 x 102

to 1,1 x 103

CFU/mL for

bacteria, and 1,6 x 102

to 5,3 x 102

for fungi. None of the microorganisms surveyed was identified, indicating absence of E. coli, S. aureus and Salmonella. No inhibition of E. coli was observed in antimicrobial efficacy assays. The presence of phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and a slightly positive reaction to tannins was evidenced. The physical-chemical parameters were pH 5,69, relative density 0,93 mg/mL and dry residue 2,86%. Thus, compliance with the pharmacopoeial microbial limits was observed and, although it did not show efficacy against E. coli, the values of physico-chemical parameters are similar to those of other tinctures, being described for the first time for the tincture of pega-pinto.