Total Bacterial Counts of Raw Milk in Eastern Terai of Nepal

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the quality of raw milk measured by Total Bacterial Count (TBC). Bulk raw milk for bacteriological study was carried out in Regional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL), Biratnagar. Altogether, 520 milk samples for TBC were examined at farm and plant levels. Results showed a great variability of TBC for the overall study period. The lowest TBC (2.78 x 106) and the highest TBC (13.299 x 106) at two milk collection units revealed nearly fivefold difference. The results of mean TBC at farm (9.03 x 105) was nine fold of international standard (1 x 105), and mean TBC at plant (104.71 x 105) reached 104 folds the international standard. The TBC at farm level were non significant (P>0.05) for overall experimental period where as most of TBC at plant level differed (p<0.01) significantly. TBC at farm level differed significantly (P<0.01) from each record of same date at plant level. The highest number of TBC (16.5 x 106) was observed in the month of September, which was significantly (P <0.01) different from the rest of the months. The results obtained from the study indicated that the current situation is critical and needs real improvement from production point to processing plant.Key words: Raw milk; Total Bacterial Count (TBC)The Journal of AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTVol. 11, 2010Page: 46-50Uploaded Date: 15 Septembre, 2010