African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5238

Full Length Research Paper

Microbiological analysis and somatic cell counts in raw milk from farms of São Paulo State, Brazil

  H. Fagundes1, L. B. Pompeu1, C. H. Corassin1 and C. A. F. de Oliveira1,2*
  1Departamento de Engenharia de Alimentos, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo. Pirassununga, SP, Brasil. 2Departamento de Engenharia de Alimentos. Av, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo.  Duque de Caxias Norte, 225 CEP 1335-900, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 25 August 2011
  •  Published: 09 October 2011

Abstract

 

The objective of the study was to evaluate mesophyle, psychrotroph and somatic cell counts (SCC), and presence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk produced in 42 dairy farms of the State of São Paulo. Farms were classified according to milk yield in low (< 400 L/day, n = 17), intermediate (400 - 1,000 L/day, n = 8) and high milk production (> 1,000 L/day, n = 17). Mesophylic bacteria counts were lower (p < 0.05) in high production farms, with no differences (p > 0.05) in psychrotrophic and somatic cell counts between the three categories. S. aureus was more frequent (p < 0.05) in the milk of individual cows in intermediate production farms. Percentage of samples that did not comply with SCC tolerance limits in grade B milk ranged from 29.4 (low production) to 52.9% (high production). Results indicate that the greatest difficulties for dairy farms to comply with milk quality parameters are related to the adoption of hygiene practices during milking and to failures in milk conservation.

 

Key words: Milk quality, mesophyles, psychrotrophs, somatic cell counts (SCC),Staphylococcus aureus.