Microbiological quality of raw milk produced in Estonia

Abstract

Aims: The microbial quality of farm bulk‐tank raw milk produced in Estonia during years 2004–2007 was investigated. Methods and Results: Bulk‐tank milk samples were analysed for lactic acid bacteria count (LABC), psychrotrophic bacteria count (PBC), aerobic spore‐forming bacteria count (ASFBC), total bacterial counts using BactoScan and somatic cell count (SCC) using Fossomatic. Randomly selected psychrotrophic isolates were subjected to 16S–23S PCR‐ribotyping. LABC remained below 104 CFU ml−1 in most samples, while psychrotrophic micro‐organisms dominated in 60% of farms. PBC ranged from 4·2 × 102 to 6·4 × 104 CFU ml−1, and ASFBC varied from 5 to 836 CFU ml−1. Conclusions: In general, the microbiological quality of the farm bulk‐tank milk was good – more than 91% of samples contained <50 000 CFU ml−1, and SCC in the majority of samples did not exceed the internationally recommended limits. Genus Pseudomonas spp. was the dominating spoilage flora with Pseudomonas fluorescens as the prevailing species. Significance and Impact of the Study: Specific bacterial groups (LABC, PBC and ASFBC), not analysed routinely by dairies, were determined in bulk‐tank raw milk of numerous dairy farms during 4‐year period. Based on the survey, dairy plants can better control their supply chains and select farms (milk) for the production of specific products, i.e. milk with low PBC and high LABC for cheesemaking.

Microbiological Characteristics of Raw Cow Milk in Beni Mellal Area (Morocco)

“…It seems that several efforts have been made to avoid biological contamination but the effort still to be more pronounced. The highest microbiological loads present in certain collecting points are certainly due to failure in respecting basic hygiene rules notably in pre-milking udder preparation and milk handlers, and also when storage equipment and transportation processes to the collect point by individual farms processes and [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. This was confirmed by our observations made for some collecting points.…”

“…Previous studies in other areas in Morocco have not reported any contamination in collected raw milk [2] and [13]. The only exception was the report of Hadrya et al [15], but concerning not processed milk bought in specialized shops dedicated to raw products rather than raw milk produced in farms and destined to be processed industrially. Certainly, the temperature conservation procedures have not been respected.…”

Investigation of udder health and milk quality parameters of dairy farms in Northern Cyprus. Part II: Milk quality

“…In accordance with these findings, this study found the highest TBC during winter and spring (P>0.05). Stulova et al (21) reported that TBC was the highest in 131 farms in Estonia in June, and the lowest in November; and that TBC was >100.000 cfu/ml in 0.02% (3/131) of the farms. Similarly, in this study, TBC was at the lowest level in November, however highest levels were seen during winter.…”

Investigation of udder health and milk quality parameters of dairy farms in Northern Cyprus. Part I: SCC and bacteriologic examination

“…For this reason, herdlevel somatic cell counts (SCCs), mastitis causing pathogens and their prevalence should be well known for detailed and comprehensive control program. There are some studies conducted in the USA (17), UK (6), Mexico (18), Canada (7,27), Norway (25), Finland (23), Estonia (9,36), Poland (34), Germany (39), Netherlands (32), and Denmark (12) to estimate herd and national-level mastitis pathogens, mastitis incidence and bulk tank milk somatic cell count. However, there are no studies for Northern Cyprus.…”