Local Milk Production Research Articles

New insights into the milk quality at varying altitudes in China

Introducing Holstein cows on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is a potential solution to enhance local milk production. However, the relationship between milk quality and altitude in China remains unknown. Therefore, the components and plasmin (PL) system of raw milk from different altitudes (sea level, 1600, 2700, and 3800 m) were investigated. The daily milk production of Holstein cows and PL activity decreased as the altitude increased. However, the components content of raw milk, plasminogen (PLG)/PL ratio, activities of PLG and plasmin activator (PA) increased with altitude. The pasteurization resulted a significant decrease in PA activity of all milk and a significant increase in PL activity in milk collected at higher altitudes (2700 and 3800 m), suggesting the pasteurization was unsuitable for preserving milk at higher altitudes. This study offered references for the production and storage of milk after introducing Holstein cows on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE AND ITS EFFECT ON MILK YIELD: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON CATTLE AND BUFFALO HOLDERS IN HYDERABAD, SINDH

An investigation of the impact of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on milk production among cattle and buffalo farmers was conducted in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. 120 farmers who owned buffaloes participated in the study, equally distributed across the upper and lower parts of Hyderabad. Clinical symptoms led to the initial suspicion of FMD, which was later validated by field tests or laboratory findings. Prior to FMD, a buffalo produced an average of 12 liters of milk every day. However, throughout the course of the next 60 days, milk output drastically dropped after the commencement of the clinical illness. In one region, the projected milk loss per buffalo during this time was about 250 liters, whereas in the other, it was about 210 liters. According to the study, the total milk loss for the 120 lactating cattle and buffaloes was about 5,914,800 Pakistani rupees. Based on the supposition that cow milk was worth around 250 PKR per liter and buffalo milk about 200 PKR, this computation was made. This demonstrates the FMD's significant economic impact on local milk production. The expected benefit-to-cost ratio for immunizing all animals in the two locations was calculated to be 6.1 under the assumption that giving a high-quality vaccine that corresponds to the circulating FMD strains might avoid clinical illness.

Antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin against clinical isolates

Lactic acid bacteria serve as important human probiotics, as they can produce bacteriocins from different dairy sources, and the antimicrobial activity of their bacteriocins have been documented in the scientific field. This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial activities of bacteriocin obtained from different dairy sources. An experimental analytical design was used to isolate species on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe Media, and identify them phenotypically and evaluated their bacteriocin's antimicrobial activity against four clinical isolates. SPSS Version 22 was used for Statistical purposes. A total of 14 isolates were verified from various sample sources. These included 6 isolates from camel's milk, 2 from goat's milk, 3 from local yogurt, and 3 from Omani yogurt. The supernatants of most isolates exhibited varying levels of antimicrobial activity during the investigation. Furthermore, the action of the bacteriocin was concentration dependent. The highest level of inhibition was 14 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, 12 mm for, 12 mm for and 10 mm for when using 100μl of raw bacteriocin. Moreover, the correlation between bacteriocin activity, temperatures, and incubation times was found to be irreversible. The study reveals inherent antibacterial traits in species from local milk and milk products in Al-Shihr Town. Specifically, variant, synthesizing bacteriocin, effectively suppressed the clinical isolates, showcasing their pathogen-fighting ability. These findings offer potential for developing efficient antimicrobial methods, utilizing bacteriocin as an antibiotic in food and medicine.

Evaluation and quantification of associations between commonly suggested milk biomarkers and the proportion of grassland-based feeds in the diets of dairy cows.

This study is a first step approach towards the prediction of the proportion of grassland-based feeds (%GB) in dairy cow diets with the aid of three different groups of milk biomarkers. We aimed to evaluate and quantify the associations between biomarkers commonly suggested in the literature and %GB in individual cows as a hypothesis-generating stage for the prospective establishment of accurate %GB prediction models. Consumers and governments financially encourage sustainable, local milk production making grass-based feeding, in grassland-dominated regions, of major interest. Milk from grassland-fed cows differs from that of other feeding systems by inferential fatty acids (FA), β-carotene content and yellow color; however, these biomarkers have not been evaluated together for their association with %GB. Using approved methods of parametric regression analysis, gas chromatography (GC), mid-infrared spectra (MIR) and color spectroscopy, we aimed to develop a first step towards an easy-to-implement, cost-effective milk-based control to estimate %GB in dairy cow diets. The underlying database was generated with 24 cows each fed one of 24 different diets gradually increasing in grass silage and decreasing in corn silage. Our results indicate that GC-measured α-linolenic acid, total n-3 FA and the n-6:n-3 ratio, MIR-estimated PUFA and milk red-green color index a* are robust milk biomarkers for constructing accurate prediction models to determine %GB. Based on simplified regression analysis, diets containing 75% GB should contain ≥ 0.669 and 0.852 g α-linolenic acid and total n-3 FA per 100 g total FA, respectively, and an n-6:n-3 FA ratio of < 2.02 measured with GC; estimated with MIR, polyunsaturated FA should be ≥ 3.13 g/100 g total FA. β-carotene was not a good predictor for estimating %GB. Unexpectedly, the milk became greener with increasing %GB (negative a* values, ‒6.416 for 75% GB), suggesting the red-green color index, not yellow-blue, as a suitable biomarker.

Safety and Quality of Milk and Milk Products in Senegal-A Review.

Historically, local milk production in Senegal has struggled to keep up with the demands of consumers, so there has been a heavy reliance on imported milk and milk products. More recently, efforts have been made to improve local dairy production by establishing large, organized dairies that collect milk from rural production areas and developing small-scale processing units, such as mini dairies. The local dairy value chain in Senegal consists of (1) informal collection systems where farmers commonly deliver milk directly to dairies; (2) traditional and artisanal processing using simple equipment and techniques; and (3) short local marketing and sale circuits. Most West African dairy sectors are dominated by raw, unpasteurized milk or traditional, spontaneously fermented milk products, such as lait caillé in Senegal, sold through small-scale channels without a cold chain, so the risk of food safety hazards may be increased. Microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards have been found in milk and milk products across West Africa. There is a need to educate milk producers, small-scale processors, and vendors on the importance of refrigerating milk immediately after milking as well as maintaining the cold chain until the milk is heat treated and, subsequently, until the milk is marketed to the consumer. However, without assistance, obtaining the equipment necessary for cold storage and processing of milk can be challenging.

Effects of attribute bonuses on milk quality in 164 dairy farms of Ubaté and Chiquinquirá (March 2012 – March 2018)

Introduction: Given that milk price fluctuations have an impact on local milk production, which affects a vital sector for the economy due to its contribution to GDP and the generation of direct and indirect jobs, this study seeks to establish what has been the effect of monetary incentives on the quality of milk from 164 dairy farms in the Ubaté and Chiquinquirá valley between March 2012 and March 2018. Methodology: To answer this question, it is hypothesized that the implementation of the quality payment scheme described in Resolution 0017 of 2012 positively affected the values with which the hygienic quality of milk is measured. To test this hypothesis, a mixed approach methodology was used (qualitative and quantitative), descriptive, correlational and explanatory, non-experimental, using a longitudinal model of panel data for the sample of milk producing farms. Results: The study allowed establishing that the current quality payment scheme (QPP), the lagged QPP and the price paid to the producer (PPP) have significant effect on decreasing milk microbiological counts, the price per gram of solids and the amount of solids per liter are significant increase milk microbiological counts. Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that it is advisable to increase the participation of bonuses per CFU on the total price, this would incentivize a faster improvement of hygienic quality.

Raw Milk as a Potential Source of Food Poisoning Outbreaks

In Africa, the use of poor and unhygienic methods for animal milking and milk processing that leads to spoilage of milk by microbes affects the production of milk and dairy products, especially in the small scale and local processing plants. This study was conducted to analyze the quality and safety of raw milk collected from six different towns in Kwami local government area of Gombe State, Nigeria. The samples were serially diluted using ten-fold dilution and used aliquot 1 ml to inoculate the appropriate media using pour plate technique. The total viable count for bacteria in CFU/ml on plate count agar (PCA) was highest in sample E from U/Anchau with an average of total viable count of 3.8x104 CFU/ml, followed by 3.0x104 CFU/ml in sample B (Dirri), then 2.8x104 CFU/ml in sample D from Burakosuma, 2.5x104 CFU/ml in sample F from Dun urji, 2.3x104 CFU/ml in sample C from Zanbe with least count from sample A at Bele as 1.8x104 CFU/ml. Five (5) bacterial species of public health importance were isolated and identified using biochemical tests namely; Enterobacter sp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp.. Out of the organisms isolated, Enterobacter sp. had the highest occurrence of 93% (n=280), then Yersinia enterocolitica 90% (n=270), E. coli 70% (n=210), S. aureus 57% (n=170), and finally Salmonella sp. 23% (n=70). Based on the microbiological outcomes, preventive measures for milking and processing that focus on training of farmers and dairy employees for the improvement of the hygiene of local milk and dairy production chain should be defined.

El queso tradicional ranchero Jarocho: un estudio multidisciplinario aplicando un enfoque de la tipicidad

The objective was to integrate the information of the local milk production system, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the milk; elaboration process, and physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of cheese to establish its typicity. The manufacturing of the cheese in most of the dairies studied has registered the operation of three generations of families. Variability in their chemical composition, microbiological, colour, texture and sensory was related with time and number of turns during the pressing, amount of added salt and vegetal fat. Cheeses with less pressing time had higher moisture content and less protein and fat content. The bacterial counts were related to milk quality tests, training courses and material of containers. These factors also affected the hardness of the cheese. Those with added vegetable fat and with high salt content had the highest hardness. The Hue angle (h°) of the cheeses indicated a tonality close to yellow (90°). Difference in chromaticity (C*) can be related to the use of vegetable fat. Cheeses with higher moisture content were brighter (L*) and had less color saturation. The sensory evaluation showed that the most typical cheeses were perceived in the attributes as salty, milk aroma, and serum and milking smell. Applying sanitation measures of milk collection, good cheese manufacturing practices and avoiding the addition of vegetable fat, it could be possibly getting a legal-commercial protection of the ranchero Jarocho cheese.

Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Increasing the Milk Production Efficiency

Scientific research and the experience of leading dairy enterprises show that the level of modernization of production, the quality of various management systems for the maintenance, feeding and use of livestock genetic resources, as well as the professional level of human resources are important components of effective milk production. Nowadays, the active use of “smart” systems for managing production processes has acquired priority importance. At the same time, the implementation of these systems makes relevant the issues of dairy business efficiency and food security. Milk production is a rather complicated process and its efficiency depends on many aspects. The given analytical research is based on the results of the Novgorod region agricultural dairy enterprises and the changes that appeared under the influence of the current regional policy. Particular attention is paid to the development of dairy farming at the regional level, its goals, objectives, and activities. The researcher analyzes the implementation of the State Program of the Novgorod Region “Development of Agriculture in the Novgorod Region for 2019-2024”, that provides for an increase in local milk production due to accelerated solution of socio-economic problems in agriculture. The article argues that the work on milk production efficiency should be carried out within the framework of the priority regional project “Development of Dairy Farming” aimed at increasing the efficiency of investments. Besides, according to this project, regional agricultural organizations can increase milk production to 55 thousand tons by the year 2025. The flexible investment legislation of the region allows implementing large investment projects in the region; in the future, it would increase the milk production. The introduction of modern agricultural solutions at enterprises would ensure the systemic development of dairy farming in the region and, accordingly, effective milk production.

Application of Artificial Insemination (AI) as a Breeding Method for Dairy Goat Herd Build-Up in Region 3, Philippines

One of the constraints in the development of dairy industry in the country is the limited number of dairy animals of which only 14% are goats providing only 1% of the total volume of local milk production. Meanwhile, increasing dairy goat population is hindered by the lack or the high price of dairy breeder animals that can be used in improving our local stocks. To spur the population of goats with genetic potential for dairying among goat farms in Region 3, Philippines, artificial insemination (AI) was applied in this project. Within the implementation period, a total of 50 participants were trained on AI in goats. They served as AI service providers in their respective and nearby municipalities. Meanwhile, a total of 4 seminars on goat raising was conducted at the different municipalities to promote the use of AI in goat breeding and upgrading which were participated by a total of 166 goat raisers. A total of 346 inseminations were reported by the trained technicians. Based on the total number of inseminations monitored, the observed conception rate was 60.29% ranging from 37.50% in Bulacan to 100% in Zambales. Of the total number of kiddings recorded, the percent of singletons, twins, and triplets observed were 46.38%, 44.93%, and 8.69%, respectively, giving an average kidding size of 1.17. A total of 106 kids were born with 61.32% (65 kids) males and 38.68% (41 kids) females with an overall male to female ratio of 1.59:1. Majority (73.58%) of the total kids born were of upgraded Anglo-Nubian bloodline. Meanwhile, of the five commercial farms visited, the Soliman Goat Farm in Tarlac was selected as the location for the establishment of the farm-based goat semen processing laboratory. Moreover, the owner and the farm staff involved in operating the laboratory had already undergone training on semen collection, processing, and evaluation.

Consumer and retailer preferences for local ingredients in processed foods: Evidence from a stacked choice experiment in an African urban dairy market

West African consumption of processed dairy products has been increasing over the past decades, most markedly in urban areas. In livestock-rich countries such as Mali, local milk production has the potential to meet growing demand. There is evidence, although limited, that consumers in the region prefer local fresh milk over imported milk. Yet, very little fresh milk is marketed in urban areas, where imported powdered milk dominates the market. The dichotomy between agricultural and urban food policies in Mali along with asymmetric information has likely contributed to this mismatch between fresh milk demand and supply. In this study, we bring new empirical evidence on preferences and information flows on processed dairy products. We employ a novel approach of stacked choice experiments to estimate and compare urban consumer and retailer preferences for three dairy product attributes: ingredient labeling, product safety certification, and packaging. Findings indicate that the majority (70%) of consumers are willing to pay a higher price for pasteurized milk that is manufactured purely from fresh milk, compared to powdered milk, pointing to an important market opportunity. Consumer and retailer preferences and willingness-to-pay are well aligned, suggesting that retailers have adequate information on their customers and that information asymmetry exists further upstream in the value chain. Better labeling regulations, government-backed certification, and policies that support packaging alternatives can improve information flows and strengthen the competitiveness of fresh milk value chains. Policymakers and manufacturers could also benefit from coordinating more closely with retailers as an information partner.

Detection Beta-lactam residues in imported and local dairy products in Mosul city

Two hundred and forty samples of milk products were examined for ß-Lactam antibiotics residues by using a quantitive technique (Sandwich-ELISA). Basically, the study comprised three different dairy farm animals (buffalo, cow, and sheep), the samples were collected from Mosul city farms, and compared to imported dairy products from exotic sources. Apparent ß-Lactam residues were found most of the milk products, considerably local and imported products. In terms of local milk products were 50% of cow, 60% of sheep, and 20% of buffalo mostly free from antibiotic residue. In contrast, imported milk products were 90% of cow, 70% of Sheep, and 10% of buffalo, also free from antibiotic residue and suitable for human consumption. However, there were many samples of milk products contaminated with ß-Lactam residue, in particular, buffalo products were high concentrations of ß-Lactam compounds, regardless of whether local and imported products. With respect to cow products, 50 % of local samples compared to 10 % of imported samples were contaminated with ß-Lactam residues. Whereas in sheep products, 40% of local products compared to 30% of imported products were high concentration of antibiotic residues. Surprisingly, for all samples of this study, it has been noticed within the same product, the concentration of ß-Lactam was high level in cheese and cream compared to milk raw, however, in yogurt were decreased sharply 45% compared to cream, cheese, and milk respectively.

The Immunological Study of Salmonella Infantis in white Mice Immunized with Killed Antigen

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of formalin-killed antigen for Sallmonellainfantis in vivo with the study of cellular immune response through the study of cytokines.Sallmonellainfantis were isolated and diagnosed from local milk products (milk and cheese). 74 milk samples and 53 cheese samples were taken.The media were usedgeneral and special culture media as well as biochemical tests were used to diagnose the isolates and the diagnosis was confirmed by using API 20. Sallmonellainfantis antigens were used systemically. 50 Swiss white mice of both sexes were randomly divided into three groups. The first group prevented (20 mice) with the bacterial antigen killed by formalin in a dose (0.3) I.P for each animal. The group was injected with a booster dose and the same first immunization dose two weeks after the first dose. The second group (20 mice) and the third group (10 mice) were counted as positive and negative control groups respectively. The first group and the second group received a dose of 0.3 ml of stuck S.infantis containing (1×108 live cells / ml) I.P, while the third group injected 0.3 ml of neutral phosphate buffer solution under the skin. The results showed that 4 animals from the first group were killed and all the remaining animals from the first group were killed 20 days after the challenge dose and serum was taken to measure cellular immunity. The results of serological tests showed that the level of (IL-4 and IL-6) were (38.48 ± 2.1 and 31.81, 3.01) respectively, as well as the results of measurement of concentration (INF gamma and TNF-?) were (401 ± 2.12 and 173.421 ± 3.11) respectively.We conclude from the study that there was a high percentage of S.infantis isolated from milk products as well as we conclude that the formalinS.infantiskilledantigen partially protected against the infection.

ANALISIS EFISIENSI USAHA TERNAK SAPI PERAH MENGGUNAKAN STOCHASTIC FRONTIER ANALYSIS

The Milk Self-sufficiency Program that is targeted to be reached by the year of 2020 is threatened by the increasing of milk imports. Local milk production can only meet 18 to 20 percent of the national milk demand. This study aims to investigate the level of technical efficiency of the people's small hold farmers’ cattles in Java and to analyze factors that influence milk production using Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The results showed that the feed per animal per day had a positive effect on the average milk production per animal per day; while the size of cage per animal had a negative effect. The average level of efficiency of dairy cattle business in Java is 83.56 percent, but statistically there are effects of inefficiency in this business. Factors that influence the inefficiency of livestock businesses are: the farmer’s age, the farmer’s educational level, participation of the farmers in cooperatives and farmer groups.Keywords: dairy cows; Stochastic Production Frontier; technical efficiency

Switchable hydrophilicity solvent based and solidification-assisted liquid-phase microextraction combined with GFAAS for quantification of trace soluble lead in raw bovine and derivative milk products

ABSTRACTA novel microextraction method was developed by combining CO2-controlled switchable hydrophilicity solvent (SHS) with solidification of the aqueous phase (SAP), referred to as CSHS-SAP. It was applied for pre-concentration/extraction of the complexes of Pb-ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) prior to GFAAS detection in raw bovine milk and milk products (whole-fat, half-skimmed and skimmed milks). In the CSHS-SAP microextraction, a clear interface was easily formed, and convenient and complete collection was achieved by directly transferring the SHS phase into a vial, which overcame the shortcomings of blurred interface and difficult collection of SHS phase using CSHS-based microextraction. SAP led to the increase of extraction recoveries for Pb2+ by 8–11%. Some important factors were optimised using a one-factor-at-a-time approach: 800 µL of N,N-dimethylbutylamine and water at a ratio of 1:1 as SHS, 1.0 g L−1 APDC as chelating agent, sample pH = 6.0, 0.6 mL of 1.0 mol L−1 NaOH, solidification time of 70 min and 300 µL of 0.5 mol L−1 HNO3 for back extraction. Under optimised conditions, limits of detection were as low as 0.01–0.02 µg kg−1 and enrichment factors reached more than 23-fold. Inter- and intra-day precisions had relative standard deviations of 3.6–6.4%. With the CSHS-SAP/GFAAS method Pb2+ was detected at 0.5–1.8 µg kg−1 in four bovine raw milk samples, which were collected from Hubei and Henan Provincial oil-producing area, China. However, Pb2+ was below the LOD in all of the local milk products. Overall, the newly developed CSHS-SAP/GFAAS method is convenient, efficient and robust, giving it great potential for rapid and accurate analysis of trace Pb2+ in liquid milks.

The Contribution of Swaziland Dairy Board on Dairy Farmers’ Productivity: A Case of Mbabane Sub-Region, Swaziland

The Swaziland Dairy Board (SDB) was established under the Act No. 28 of 1968 to promote increased dairy production to satisfy the domestic and export market. Despite numerous efforts of SDB through its dairy policy goals, Swaziland is failing to achieve self-sufficiency in liquid milk production, and can hardly sustain its local demand. Therefore, the study aimed at establishing the contribution of SDB policy goals on smallholder dairy farmers’ productivity. Primary data was collected from 120 dairy farmers through the use of a structured questionnaire in the Mbabane sub-region. The study characterized dairy farmers as mostly male (57%) who are aged above 55 years and married (88%), attained secondary education(48%) with farming experience of 4 years, milking averagely 2 cows per day, and each cow yielding averagely 10 litres and 13 litres per day for non-SDB and SDB members, respectively. The results further revealed that farmers trained by SDB were practicing more of the recommended animal husbandry practices compared to non-SDB farmers. Moreover, the SDB farmer’s milk yields were higher than non-SDB farmers at 10% significant level, although SDB farmers’ milk productivity is still regarded relatively low. Factors influencing productivity of milk among small holder dairy farmers included sex of the farmer, age, dairy sales incomes, number of milking cows, market distance, use of supplementary feed, dairy records keeping and the breeding system. Therefore, local milk production can increase if the stakeholders in the dairy industry can adopt SDB policy strategies, dairy related services and good livestock husbandry practices.

English

Livestock in Niger has great potentials. If well managed, this sector can significantly improve food security and boost poverty alleviation in the population. In order to encourage the development of local milk production in Liptako Gourma, the present study was undertaken to identify constraints related to milk production in the area. A questionnaire based survey was conducted to collect data from 360 dairy farmers. The study revealed that Liptako Gourma harbours a diversified cattle population comprised of 83.3% of Djelli in Niamey, 69.8% of Peul Zebus and 55.8% of Azawak in Tillaberi and 20.0% of Goudali in Dosso. The workhands is mainly constituted of Fulani farmers (77.3 &plusmn; 5.0% in Tillaberi) and Zarma agro- farmers (33.3 &plusmn; 16.8% in Niamey). They have traditional skills in milk production technology. The study also showed that animals&rsquo; feeding is highly dependent on seasonality. The most prevalent animal diseases were fasciolosis (55.0, 36.6 and 51.7%, in Dosso, Tillaberi and Niamey, respectively), bezoars (15.0, 60.0 and 12.8% in Dosso, Tillaberi and Niamey, respectively) and respiratory problems (46.6, 40.0 and 35.8% in Dosso, Tillaberi and Niamey, respectively). The low level of education of farmers which is, for example, 16.2 &plusmn; 4.4% in Tillaberi, the low level of investment, the poor hygienic practices and difficulties associated with milk conservation and sale constitutes further constraints that thwart the development of the dairy sector. Findings of this study call for technical supports from veterinarians and hygiene services to dairy farmers so as to significantly control the aforementioned constraints. &nbsp; Key words: Local milk, Liptako Gourma, Niger, milk valorisation, production constraints.

Pine needle biomass gasification based electricity and cold storage systems for rural Himalayan region: optimal size and site

Pine trees cover large portions of the Himalayan region. Every summer session dry pine needles fall from the trees and cover the forest floor, which is a serious cause of uncontrolled frequent forest fires here in this region. Due to the widespread availability of pine needles (forest biomass) in the Himalayan region, it can not only produce electricity (through gasification) for immediate local consumption and the national grid system but with the implementation of CHP and CHCP technology it can also contribute to local dairies, food processing industries and for cold storage. Using pine needles in electricity generation will not only save the environment, by preventing forest fires, but also contribute to the energy demands of the region and preserve the local vegetable, fruits and milk product without any additional cost. The objective of this study is to find out the optimal gasification system range to serve a particular locality with respect to local pine needle availability and produced refrigeration capacity.

Isolation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Local Milk and Milk Products

In the present study fifteen Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from milk and milk products were isolated, identified and tested for their antagonistic activity. All the samples were found to be acidic with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8.The collected samples showed higher number of total bacterial load ranging from 3.24´10 5 to 1.04´10 8 cfu/ml. Out of fifteen isolates, nine isolates were found to belong to the genus Lactobacillus and identified as L. casei subsp. pseudoplantarum, L. homohiochii, L. salivarius, L. xylosus, L.fermentum, L.leichmannii , L.heterohiochii, L.casei, and L.plantarum,.The others were found to belong to the genus Streptococcus and identified as S. thermophilus , S. lactis, S. uberis, S.suis, S. faecalis, and S. equnius.The isolates showed antibacterial activity against four gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, B.megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus) and six gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Vibrio cholerae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by using the disc diffusion method. They also showed their antifungal activity against two fungi (Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus flavus) by modifying poisoned food technique. All of the fifteen isolates were active against one or more test pathogenic bacterial strains. Among them L. homohiochii (TM3/a) showed the highest zone of inhibition (30.3mm) against Salmonella typhi. Lactobacillus spp. showed more antifungal activity than Streptococcus spp. and Streptococcus uberis (TY4 /a) showed the highest antifungal activity (50%) against Penicillium sp.This preliminary work shows the potential application of LAB to improve safety of traditional fermented food and milk products.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 29, Number 2, Dec 2012, pp 76-82

Assessment of farm families acceptability of small ruminants milk for consumption in selected rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria

A total of 150 rural families were selected to ascertain acceptability of small ruminants’ milk for consumption by rural dwellers in selected rural communities of Ogun State. The result of the study showed that majority of the respondent (38%) consumed milk products such as local cheese commonly referred to as ‘wara’, and this was largely consumed either fresh (38%) or fried (32%). Other milk products consumed by the rural farm families include nono (5%) and yoghurt (7%). Half (50%) of the farm families take the local milk products as the need may arise and 34% consumed the milk product at least once a month. Most (64%) of the respondents slightly favoured consumption of small ruminants’ milk. Stubbornness of goat and stupidity of sheep, small quantity of milk being produced were factors militating against consumption of milk. Age, marital status, family size, level of education and religion and had no relationship with their disposition to sheep and goats’ milk consumption in the study area. It was thus recommended that small ruminants’ milk should be intensively explored and made available in processed forms for acceptance and consumption by the rural farm families. Also, government should support the consumption and sale of small ruminants’ milk so as to alleviate poverty and reduce malnutrition among the rural farm families. Key words: Sheep and goats’ milk, acceptability, consumption, rural farm families, Ogun State.