1MPH Arts, Science and Commerce Mahila College, Malegaon, Nashik. Email: smitaharane@gmail.com
2HPT Arts & RYK Science College Nashik-5
3Arts, Science and Commerce College Surgana Nashik
4Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner
Received: 12th Dec, 2025; Revised: 12th Feb 2026; Accepted: 13th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 10th March, 2026
Seed quality and storage stability are crucial for maintaining the efficacy, safety, and shelf life of medicinal plant-based formulations. This study investigates the influence of weather conditions and storage containers on seed-associated mycoflora in selected medicinal plants, integrating Ayurvedic principles with modern scientific observations. A survey was conducted across four locations in Nashik District, Maharashtra, during 2025–2026, a region characterized by marked seasonal variability affecting post-harvest seed preservation. Medicinal seeds, widely used in herbal drug preparations, are prone to contamination by diverse fungi, including toxigenic species such as Aspergillus flavus. Seeds were stored under varying environmental conditions in cotton bags, tin boxes, and plastic bottles, and analyzed using standard mycological techniques. Results revealed that temperature and relative humidity significantly influenced fungal diversity and intensity. Among storage methods, plastic bottles proved most effective in minimizing fungal incidence, followed by tin boxes and cotton bags. Storage practices in markets, godowns, and laboratories—where seeds are commonly kept in gunny bags, tin containers, or glass bottles—were also found to impact microbial contamination levels. The findings align with Ayurvedic principles emphasizing proper drying, ventilation, and protection from environmental impurities, underscoring the relevance of traditional knowledge in contemporary seed preservation. This study highlights the importance of integrating classical Ayurvedic insights with modern storage and quality assessment techniques to mitigate microbial contamination. Such an approach can enhance the safety, efficacy, and standardization of medicinal plant materials, offering practical benefits for researchers, agriculturists, and the herbal pharmaceutical sector.
Keywords: Seed mycoflora, Medicinal plants, Storage conditions, Weather parameters, Fungal contamination, Ayurvedic insights
How to cite this article: Harane SS, Harpale DV, Mahajan S, Harane MS. Impact of Weather and Storage Containers on Seed Mycoflora of Medicinal Plants: Integrating Ayurvedic Insights—A Case Study of Nashik District. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(16s): 603-606. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.16s.66
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None