MICROBIAL EXAMINATION OF RAW MILK SOLD IN GARIKI, OKIGWE, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the microbial quality of raw milk sold in different locations in Gariki, Okigwe, Imo State  using standard laboratory techniques. A total of 60 raw  milk samples were aseptically collected following  standard methods from three different locations to  determine total heterotrophic bacteria counts (TBC),  total coliforms counts (TCC), and fecal coliforms counts   (FCC). The total heterotrophic bacteria counts ranged  between 7.2±0.3×103 cfu/ml to 6.9±0.1×102cfu/ml while  the total coliform counts ranged from 7.2±0.2×103cfu/ml to 7.0±0.2×102cfu/ml and the total faecal coliform counts ranged between 5.3±0.6×104cfu/ml to 5.1±0.1×104cfu/ml. The bacterial organisms identified and characterized include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella spp and Enterobacter spp. The percentage distribution of the isolates indicated that E.coli and Salmonella spp had the highest rate of occurrence (100% respectively) while Enterobacter spp had the least occurrence rate (33.3%). There was no significant variation (at P=0.05) in the THBC, TCC and FCC in the samples collected from the different locations. The high level of counts and isolate numbers and types found in the sampled raw cow milk represent a poor keeping quality of milk and public health risk to the consumers. This suggests the need for improved hygienic practice at all levels of milk production in the Gariki community