QAULITY OF FRESH RAW MILK PRODUCED AND CONSUMED IN KHARTOUM STATE

Abstract

The study evaluated the effect of the hygienic, operational and environmental conditions on the quality of raw milk produced and consumed in Khartoum State in summer, and winter seasons, different levels of collection centers (CC) (farms or dika), collection points (CP) (markets or Sougs) and the milk delivered from the neighborhood states (Gazira State GM). To achieve these objectives, direct farm survey was conducted to cover 300 farms distributed in seven Localities in Khartoum State. , Data were collected and analyzed. The survey results showed that the sheds construction was poor and non– hygienic, no clear water was available for drinking and / or washing. Poor farm management, animals manure was not uniformly removed which negatively affected the animal health since they eat and sleep on a wet floor covered with the manure, some grass stems and /or dirt were seen floating in the raw milk. Four hundred ninteen four milk samples were collected from the farm collection centre (CC) collection points (cp) and Gazera milk in the mornings and at evenings, in summer as well as winter. Physical properties tests have been conducted at the collection points to determine the color, flavor and the density. The results showed different in color due to some blood drops and showed a lot of dirt settled and/or floating in the milk. Regarding the densities results, when using the Lactometer although 91% of the samples were within the acceptable range of 0.1024 – 0.1033. 14 The result of freezing point showed that, 77% of the raw milk samples were within the acceptable limits of the freezing point range (-0.518, -0.535). All collected samples were tested to determine the compositional, physical & chemical properties and the bacterial changes in the raw milk which are mostly results of some external factors such as thermal affect, manpower and hygienic conditions. The results showed that the bacterial count of equal or less than 9x104 cfu /ml in winter was 35.4% compared to 19.4%in summer. That means although the acceptable range in winter is much higher than in summer but the majority of the raw milk in the state was very much below the acceptable European limits. As for Coliform, 60.1% of the samples in summer and 76.9% in winter satisfy the internationally limit of acceptance which should be less than 100 cell/ml. This shows that the difference between winter and summer was statistically significant. It was found that the Coli form bacteria at the farm were significantly less than any other level. 55% of the colleted samples were found free of the Coagulase positive Staphylococci. The samples that have exceeded the limits of 103 was found to be 16.5% in Khartoum State. Enterococci were found in almost 35.7% of the tested samples with different counts ranges , but still 81% of the samples in the state were within the acceptable count limit if it is considered to be 100 cell/ml . Using the SCC applying the European Union standards for less than or equal 5x105 , the farm and individual cows milk within this limits were found to be 43.6% in winter and 20.9 % in summer, the samples were mainly in the range of equal to or less than 7.5x105 with significant Differences between the counts in winter and summer. 15 It was found that 74.7% of the samples were within 0.20 Titrable acidity. In winter 80.9% were within this limit. Clear significant correlation at 0.01 levels was found between SCC, acidity and TBC. Direct but not significant correlation between SCP and CPS was found. To identify both Gram positive and negative isolates, the API Kits were used. Most of the CPS isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, while the majority of CNS was Staphylococcus epidermidis from bulk milk. Most of the isolates of Streptococci were Streptococcus uberis about 25.3% in milk and 29.4% from milker’s hands swabs. Few isolates of Corynebacterium were recovered, Corynebacterium Pseudotuberclosis 37.5% and Corynebacterium ulceran 29.2%. Regarding the Gram negative isolates most of the isolates were E. coli, followed by Enterobacter species specially Enterobacter cloacae from both milk and milker’s hands. The result showed that 37.2% of the tested samples, using MRT to identify the reactors to bovine brucellosis, reacted positively. 33.8% reacted positive when using ElISA on milk for the same samples. The MRT sensitivity and specificity were calculated to be 78% and 83% respectively. Applying the Alcohol test, 14 % of the samples were failed. 86% of these failed samples were clotted when applying the cloting test. The average ranges of the bulk milk composition in the state were found to be:- • Protein 3.1- 3.3%, • Lactose 4.1- 4.3%, • Fat 3.1- 3.6%.