Abstract
The present cross sectional study was conducted to assess hygienic practices and determination of bacterial load of milk when directly milked from the udder and from the collecting bucket at the farm level in selected smallholder of Mersa town; from November 2016 to May 2017. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed and 60 milk samples were collected for laboratory analysis to assess bacterial load. Aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts (AMBC) and coliform counts (CC) were conducted on milk samples. Results showed that, majority of small-dairy holders were males, managing their cattle in unclean environments and practicing extensive grazing system on communal grazing area. The mean aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts of raw milk samples analyzed were 5.81 log10 cfu/ml (udder), 8.01 log10 cfu/ml (bucket) The mean coliform counts were 3.7 log10 cfu/ml (udder), 5.15 log10 cfu/ml (bucket) and the increment of both counts at the milk bucket was observed statistically significant (P=0.000) and there was no significant variation between kebeles (P=0.921) for aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts and (P=0.715) for coliform count. According to international standards of raw milk quality, both of the above counts found to have values above the upper limits. Milk produced by the selected small-holder dairy cow owners in Mersa town were of poor quality and can be a potential source of milk-borne infections.
Highlights
Milk is a sterile fluid when secreted into alveoli of udder; after secretion microbial contamination could occur from the udder itself, external part of the udder and from the surface of milk handling and storage equipment, and the air, soil, feed, grass and feces are possible sources of contamination [1]
There was an increase in both coliform counts (CC) and Aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts (AMBC) for milk samples taken from the milking bucket (Table 1)
Milk produced by small-holder dairy cow owners in Mersa kebele 02, Abiyot fre and Woldia kurkura of Mersa town were of poor quality, risky for human consumption and can be a potential source of milk-borne infections
Summary
Milk is a sterile fluid when secreted into alveoli of udder; after secretion microbial contamination could occur from the udder itself, external part of the udder and from the surface of milk handling and storage equipment, and the air, soil, feed, grass and feces are possible sources of contamination [1]. Milk and milk products have a high value in feeding the population in both rural and urban areas. Wholesome milk and milk products have refreshing, potable, economical and nutritious food for human being [2]. It is a cash crop in the milk shed areas that allow families to purchase other food stuffs. The cow health status and its environment, uncleaned and non-sanitized milking equipment, and unhygienic milk workers could serve as sources of contamination
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