Department of Microbiology |
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The Department was started in the late 80’s as part of the clinical laboratory manned by a Snr.Techician. In 1998, it became a Research Department with three (3) Research Officers and one (1) technician.
Functions
- Screening of medicinal plants and herbal products for their antimicrobial properties
- Assessment of the quality of herbal products from herbalists as well as herbal
products from the centre's production department
- Microbiological services to patients from the centre's clinic and Tetteh Quarshie
Memorial Hospital
Activities
- Development of a natural preservative for Centre's drugs.
Results so far: Six medicinal plants showing antibacterial and antifungal activities have been screened and documented. The main objective of the study is to isolate and identify the various possible spoilage organisms present in the herbal products of the Centre , and to investigate the antimicrobial activities of the six medicinal plants against the isolated spoilage organisms
- Investigations on anti-typhoid preparartions
The Department is collaborating with a foreign student from Univ. of Leipzig in Germany to investigate the most effective anti-typhoid herbal preparations from Centre using advanced methods.
- Other studies
- In vitro analysis of Phyllanthus fraternus as an anti-typhoid agent
- Antimicrobial activity of Calotropis procera on tooth decay pathogens in vitro
- Determination of the most effective disinfectant amongst those commonly used by hospitals
- Quality assessment of the herbal medicines
Routine checks on the microbial load of the Centre's herbal products to ensure that high production standards are maintained. The department also conducts quality assessment of preparations from herbalists (Ten products analyzed almost every week
- Clinical Services Support
- The Department also supports the Centre's clinic as well as the Tetteh Quarshie Hospital with various microbiological services including culture and sensitivity on the following biological samples: Blood, Stool, Urine, High vagina swab, Urethral, Ear, Wound swabs etc
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