Determination of Microbial Hygiene Indicators of Raw Cow Milk in Assosa District, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate raw cow milk microbial quality in the Assosa district from January to March 2021. Sixty farmers were chosen from 200 surveyed households for milk samples to determine microbial analysis using standard procedures. From each farmer, 450 mL of the fresh morning raw cow milk sample was collected aseptically using a sterile sampling bottle. The milk samples were analyzed in duplicates immediately after 12 hrs upon laboratory arrival. Milk microbial analysis, sampling, transportation, and handling followed standard procedures. The average aerobic mesophilic bacterial count, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and mold count, and coliform count were 9.0, 5.3, 7.8, 9.2, and 6.8 log10 CFU/mL, respectively. However, significant differences between urban and rural locations were observed except for the last parameter. The counts of all microbial parameters, including the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus found in this study, were higher than the acceptable limit set by the Ethiopian standard authority. This indicates that smallholder milk was highly contaminated and may have originated from a single source. Consequently, the hygienic quality of milk is not safe for consumption; instead, it can cause different types of foodborne pathogens. Therefore, identification of the contamination sources of milk and urgent remedial actions will be taken to protect consumers’ health.