ASSESSMENT OF HYGIENIC PRACTICES AND BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF RAW COW MILK ALONG OFFA DISTRICT DAIRY VALUE CHAIN, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Microbiological assessment is the cornerstone for understanding the safety of milk that is produced, marketed and consumed. The present cross-sectional study was conducted to assess hygienic practices, determination of bacterial quantity of milk, isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in milk and to identify the risk areas of contaminant in the milk throughout the value chain in Offa district from December 2019 to August 2020. A total of 108 respondents were interviewed and subsequently, 210 milk samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Results showed that, majority of small-dairy managing their cattle in unclean environments. The mean standard plate counts of raw milk samples analyzed were 7.06 log10 cfu/ml (udder), 8.70 log10 cfu/ml (bucket) and 8.46 log10 cfu/ml (containers upon arrival). The mean coliform counts were 6.99 log10 cfu/ml (udder), 8.00 log10 cfu/ml (bucket) and 7.13 log10 cfu/ml (containers upon arrival). The mean Staphylococcus aureus counts of raw milk samples analyzed were 5.61 log10 cfu/ml (udder), 5.94 log10 cfu/ml (bucket) and 5.72 log10 cfu/ml (containers upon arrival). There was statistically significant (P=0.000) between critical points but there was no significant variation between Villages. According to international standards of raw milk quality, SPC, CC and Staphylococcus aureus counts have values above the upper limits set. Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk samples taken from different critical points were 8.6%, 22.9% and 25.7% in udder, bucket and containers upon arrival, respectively. This result is due to poor hygienic practices and parameters like hygienic condition of the milking environment, sanitation of the milk containers, udder and teats, and the personal hygiene of the milkers of the smallholder dairy farmers. Routine assessment of milk quality produced by small-scale livestock keepers should be conducted to safeguard the public from milk-borne zoonotic infections