The present study was carried out for quality and safety assessment of buffalo milk collected from five different areas of Mathura city viz. Holigate (H), Sadar (S), Aurangabad (A), Chungi (A) and Township (T). The milk samples were collected from dairy shops, vendors and milk producers and evaluated for various organoleptic tests, Physico-chemical properties, proximate estimation and microbiological studies by following the standard procedures. Among organoleptic tests, Chungi (80%) and Township (90%) samples had a more clear appearance than Holigate (30%), Sadar (40%) and Aurangabad (60%) areas. There were 40, 60, 80, 90 and 100% samples which were white in color, in H, S, A, C and T areas respectively. The normal consistency of milk was observed in 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90% samples in H, S, A, C, and T area. There were 40, 50, 70, 80 and 90% samples that had a normal odor in H, S, A, C, and T respectively. The COB test was positive in 40, 30, 20, 10 and 0% samples of H, S, A, C and T regions respectively. The temperature, pH and specific gravity were lower though titrable acidity was higher than the normal prescribed limit in all milk samples. All the proximate parameters showed significantly (P<0.05) difference between buffalo milk samples. Among proximate parameters, moisture content were comparatively higher; however other parameters (protein, ash, total solids) showed lower values than the normal prescribed range. The formalin adulteration was detected in 50, 30, 10, 10 and 0% milk samples from H, S, A, C, and T areas. All buffalo milk samples were negative for other preservatives, neutralizers, and adulterants. The microbial load of all milk samples were higher than normal prescribed limit in terms of SPC, DMC, Coliform count as well as Staphylococcus count.
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