Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the microbial quality and chemical composition of raw milk collected from selected districts of East Shoa and West Arsi zones of Oromia Regional State in Mid-Rift Valley of Ethiopia. A total of 60 and 48 milk samples collected from individual households were analyzed for microbial quality and chemical composition of milk, respectively. Means of total bacterial counts were significantly different (P<0.05), but coliform counts were not significantly different (P>0.05) among districts. The overall mean total bacterial counts and coliform counts in the study area were 7.08 ± 0.07 and 4.35 ± 0.06 ml^-1, respectively. The result indicated that the milk samples collected from all districts were subjected to microbial contamination. Therefore, adequate sanitary measures should be taken at all stages from production to consumption. The overall mean for fat, protein and solid-not-fat percents were 5.48±0.19, 3.46±0.04 and 9.10±0.09, respectively and fat percent was significantly different (P<0.05) between breeds and among districts. The results of chemical composition were found to be adequate as compared to the standard level.

Key words: Mid Rift Valley, microbial quality, chemical composition, raw milk.