Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia

Safety and quality of milk and milk products are an increasing concern worldwide. Milk and milk products are major causes of milk-borne diseases due to contamination with microorganisms resulting from a lack of standard milk handling procedures and hygienic practices. Thus, the study aims to investi...

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Main Authors: Dawit Gebremichael, Alem Tadesse, Fsahatsion Hailemariam, Birhane Hailay, Hagos Hadgu, Girmay Kalayu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/vmi/9989527
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author Dawit Gebremichael
Alem Tadesse
Fsahatsion Hailemariam
Birhane Hailay
Hagos Hadgu
Girmay Kalayu
author_facet Dawit Gebremichael
Alem Tadesse
Fsahatsion Hailemariam
Birhane Hailay
Hagos Hadgu
Girmay Kalayu
author_sort Dawit Gebremichael
collection DOAJ
description Safety and quality of milk and milk products are an increasing concern worldwide. Milk and milk products are major causes of milk-borne diseases due to contamination with microorganisms resulting from a lack of standard milk handling procedures and hygienic practices. Thus, the study aims to investigate the microbial quality and safety of cow milk and milk products and isolate some bacteria in Tigray. Questionnaires were conducted to assess milk handling procedures and hygienic practices. Samples were collected from different sampling points in the summer and winter seasons. Laboratory analyses were conducted using microbiological methods. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the results. The overall mean total bacterial counts were 4.94, 6.02, 6.58, and 6.23 log10 CFU/mL for milk samples collected directly from the udder, milk container, cafeteria, and yogurt, respectively. Total bacterial counts exhibited statistically significant differences (p<0.001) among different sampling points. The bacterial load in the winter season was significantly higher than in the summer season (p<0.04). Highly significant differences in coliform counts were observed (p<0.001) with mean values of 4.29, 5.49, 6.22, and 5.86 log10 CFU/mL for milk samples obtained directly from the udder, milk container, cafeteria, and yogurt, respectively. The averages of spore-forming and psychrotrophic counts were 4.13 and 5.40 log10 CFU/mL, respectively. Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited significant variations at different sampling points. The isolation rates of Salmonella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus were 41.7%, 75%, and 95.8%, respectively. Total bacterial counts and psychrotrophic counts of the butter were 4.34 and 4.38 log10 CFU/g, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that milk and milk products had high levels of contamination because the bacterial loads were significantly higher than standard limits (5 log10 CFU/mL). Therefore, public education and awareness campaigns on good hygienic practices for dairy farmers and cafeteria owners are essential. Implementation of stringent food quality and safety standards, along with effective regulatory measures, is imperative to ensure safeguard consumer health.
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spelling doaj-art-ba80e6507bbd45d19a16673c04e79c812025-01-04T00:00:06ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine International2042-00482024-01-01202410.1155/vmi/9989527Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, EthiopiaDawit Gebremichael0Alem Tadesse1Fsahatsion Hailemariam2Birhane Hailay3Hagos Hadgu4Girmay Kalayu5Department of Animal ScienceDepartment of Animal ScienceDepartment of Animal ScienceDepartment of Animal ScienceDepartment of Animal ScienceDepartment of BiologySafety and quality of milk and milk products are an increasing concern worldwide. Milk and milk products are major causes of milk-borne diseases due to contamination with microorganisms resulting from a lack of standard milk handling procedures and hygienic practices. Thus, the study aims to investigate the microbial quality and safety of cow milk and milk products and isolate some bacteria in Tigray. Questionnaires were conducted to assess milk handling procedures and hygienic practices. Samples were collected from different sampling points in the summer and winter seasons. Laboratory analyses were conducted using microbiological methods. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the results. The overall mean total bacterial counts were 4.94, 6.02, 6.58, and 6.23 log10 CFU/mL for milk samples collected directly from the udder, milk container, cafeteria, and yogurt, respectively. Total bacterial counts exhibited statistically significant differences (p<0.001) among different sampling points. The bacterial load in the winter season was significantly higher than in the summer season (p<0.04). Highly significant differences in coliform counts were observed (p<0.001) with mean values of 4.29, 5.49, 6.22, and 5.86 log10 CFU/mL for milk samples obtained directly from the udder, milk container, cafeteria, and yogurt, respectively. The averages of spore-forming and psychrotrophic counts were 4.13 and 5.40 log10 CFU/mL, respectively. Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, and Staphylococcus aureus exhibited significant variations at different sampling points. The isolation rates of Salmonella spp., E. coli, and S. aureus were 41.7%, 75%, and 95.8%, respectively. Total bacterial counts and psychrotrophic counts of the butter were 4.34 and 4.38 log10 CFU/g, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that milk and milk products had high levels of contamination because the bacterial loads were significantly higher than standard limits (5 log10 CFU/mL). Therefore, public education and awareness campaigns on good hygienic practices for dairy farmers and cafeteria owners are essential. Implementation of stringent food quality and safety standards, along with effective regulatory measures, is imperative to ensure safeguard consumer health.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/vmi/9989527
spellingShingle Dawit Gebremichael
Alem Tadesse
Fsahatsion Hailemariam
Birhane Hailay
Hagos Hadgu
Girmay Kalayu
Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
Veterinary Medicine International
title Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
title_full Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
title_fullStr Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
title_short Investigation of Microbial Quality of Milk and Milk Products and Isolations of Some Major Bacteria in the Central and Northwestern Zones of Tigray, Ethiopia
title_sort investigation of microbial quality of milk and milk products and isolations of some major bacteria in the central and northwestern zones of tigray ethiopia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/vmi/9989527
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