Author(s): Andrew GK Mtewa

Abstract: Aqueous herbal formulations against enteric diseases in Malawi are stored in different containers and for different durations, a practice whose implications to the stability of the antimicrobial potency, pH and phytochemical presence has not been explored in Malawi. Formulations from P. guajava leaves and roots, M. azadirachta leaves and C. frutescens roots were stored in clay pots and plastic bottles and checked for their stability in antibacterial potency against Escherichia coli using the disc method, its pH changes and phytochemical presence. Phytochemicals were present mostly from day 2, pH was storage duration-dependent. Antibacterial potency depended on storage duration and was not affected by container material. Maximum antibacterial activity was observed in P. guajava leaves formulation in plastic bottle at 62% that of Erythromycin. The study showed that aqueous formulations can be stored in either plastic containers or clay pots without adversely affecting their potency.