Bulk tank somatic cell count and associated microbial quality of milk from selected dairy cattle herds in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Improvement of traditional and nomadic milk production through dairy development program in Nigeria requires routine quality and safety monitoring of milk both at herd level and milk collection centers. A total of 411 bulk raw milk samples aseptically obtained from Ibarapa, Oyo and Oke-Ogun industrial milk collection centers were subjected to California Mastitis Test (CMT), Bulk Somatic Cell Count (BSCC) and bacteriological analysis for assessment of quality and safety of milk from the herds. One hundred and seven (26.0%) of the samples were CMT positive, while 74.0% were negative to CMT. The overall mean BSCC, TAC and TCC were 1.27×103 ± cells/mL, 1.12×103± 34 cfu/mL, 97.8±9.8 cfu/mL in the CMT negative milk samples while for the strong positive samples the mean BSCC, TAC and TCC were 4.33×106 ± cells/mL, 2.35×106 ± 453 cfu/mL, 189.3±41.1 cfu/mL respectively; these were higher than the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance acceptable limits. Positive correlation was found between CMT scores and bacterial contamination and between CMT scores and SCC was recorded. About 26.0% of the samples with positive CMT could be considered unsafe due to strong correlation with microbial contamination that could result in milk borne zoonoses and public health hazards. However, a greater proportion (76.9%) of the milk with negative CMT scores could be safe for human consumption after post-harvest pasteurization. Consequently, there is need to improve handling, environmental and milking hygiene; as well as proper herd and udder health management to improve quality and safety of Nigeria dairy products.

Relatedness of California Mastitis Test Scores and Bacteriological Plate Counts in the Diagnosis of Subclinical Mastitis in White Fulani Cattle From Selected Dairy Herds 

“…Mastitis is an important disease of public health importance due to the consumption of raw or improperly pasteurized milk. Mastitis is an important disease of great economic importance in diary industry due to intramammary infection (IMI) which results into reduced secretory capacity of the mammary gland [1,2].…”

“…Both clinical and subclinical mastistis in dairy cows in Nigeria have been reported by several authors [3 -5]. Also, unregulated administration of antibiotics to cattle by the herdsmen could result in their residues that is also detrimental to milk quality and dairy technology [2,6].…”

“…These nutrients are essential role in body building, especially the bones and teeth development [7]. These nutritional attributes have made milk an acceptable and staple global diet of both infants, and adults [2].…”

“…The recent dairy farming improvement efforts in Nigeria through public-private partnership scheme comprising collection of milk from different cattle herds owned by nomadic and sedentary pastoralists. This Nigerian Dairy Development Program (NDDP) is geared towards improving the livelihoods of smallholder dairy farmers and improving cattle productivity by integration traditional milk source into the formal dairy value chain in Nigeria [2].…”

“…Also, herd hygiene, management and milking processes in uence the microbial quality of cow manure milk while cows suffering from a disease could excrete the pathogenic bacteria in the udder with the milk, thereby predisposing consumers to food/milk borne disease. Milk borne outbreaks represent 2-6% of bacterial food-borne outbreaks reported by surveillance systems from several countries [2].…”