Microbial evaluation of herbal waters distributed in Kashan 2012

In Iran، herbal waters are as traditional medicinal products and are widespreadly consumed. Therefore، microbial quality of these products in terms of public health is important. The aim of this study was evaluation of microbial quality of Herbal waters distributed in Kashan 2012. In this descriptive study، the number of 132 herbal waters samples (27 traditional samples and 105 industrial samples) distributed in Kashan during 2012 year were purchased and transferred to laboratory. Then microbial tests such as total aerobic bacterial count، mold and yeast count، total coliforms، detection of enterococcus، Pseudomonas aeruginosa and sulphite reducing clostridia were evaluated based on national standard of Iran. The results showed that any one samples not contaminated to coliforms، E. coli and Sulphite reducing clostridia. 51. 52% and 11. 6% of samples were demonstrated total mesophilic bacteria and yeast counts more than the standard، respectively. Also، based on national standard of Iran، 57 industrial herbal waters samples (54. 29%) and 4 traditional herbal waters samples were usable. Based on obtained results and contamination of some of these products to mold and yeast as well as high count of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria، pasteurization، good packaging material and good hygiene in processing procedure is recommended.