Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3834

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical profile and quality control of complex herbal mixtures used to prepare slimming drinks, commercialized in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil

Ferdinando Lucas Góis
  • Ferdinando Lucas Góis
  • Department of Life Sciences, State University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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Danilo Moreira Vilas Boas
  • Danilo Moreira Vilas Boas
  • College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.
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Gislane Oliveira Ribeiro
  • Gislane Oliveira Ribeiro
  • Agronomy School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia-Goiás, Brazil.
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Gildeon Silva Marques
  • Gildeon Silva Marques
  • College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.
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Luciano Morais Lião
  • Luciano Morais Lião
  • Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia-Goiás, Brazil.
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Mariângela Vieira Lopes Silva
  • Mariângela Vieira Lopes Silva
  • Department of Life Sciences, State University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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Ademir Evangelista do Vale
  • Ademir Evangelista do Vale
  • College of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.
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Erika Maria de Oliveira Ribeiro
  • Erika Maria de Oliveira Ribeiro
  • Department of Life Sciences, State University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 10 August 2023
  •  Accepted: 14 March 2024
  •  Published: 31 May 2024

Abstract

Traditional herbal products with multiple associated plant species and weight loss claims are widely consumed. The inadequacy of these resources to health standards, the lack of supervision, and the analytical obstacles involved in their investigation are challenges and reasons for this research. In this sense, this study aimed to characterize the profiles: Phytochemical, physical, physicochemical, and microbiological, of eight brands of crude drugs commercialized for the preparation of weight loss teas in the cities of Salvador and Lauro de Freitas in Bahia, Brazil. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of total phenolics and flavonoids using spectrophotometric and spectroscopic techniques. In the spectrophotometric assay of phenolics, two samples, 5A and 6A (same formulation), showed 185 and 140 mg EGA.g-1, respectively. In the content of flavonoids, samples 6A (eight drugs) and 1A (five drugs) obtained 56.2 and 52.8 mg EQ.g-1, respectively, superior results compared to samples with a higher amount of drugs. In microbiological analyses, one sample was outside the bromatological limits for thermotolerant coliforms, and two disagreed with ANVISA legislation for the limits of molds and yeasts. The study points to the need to regulate physical, physicochemical, and microbiological parameters for herbal mixtures, adopt good practices by manufacturers, and expand local health inspection.

Key words: Medicinal teas, traditional products, authenticity, weight loss, phytotherapy.