Milk hygiene in small ruminants: A review

Abstract

Somatic cell count (SCC), mammary pathogens prevalence, total and specific bacterial counts, antimicrobial residues, macroscopic sediment, water addition, aflatoxins and other contaminants constitute the basis for milk payment-schemes, monitoring and improvement of flock hygiene and health management, and development of analytical surveillance programs in the dairy small ruminants. The present work reviews factors influencing the variation of these variables, including milk analytical methods, storage and preservation, along with management implications during the last two decades. Following farmer and cooperative educational programs, progressive reductions have been reported for total bacterial count and antimicrobial residue occurrence in bulk tank milk. These results were consistent, however, with high values for SCC and specific bacterial populations. Thus, mastitis control programs should be intensified to increase hygiene in milk and economic returns for producers and processors. In addition, the implementation of programs to reduce specific bacterial counts (i.e., psychrotrophs, coliforms, Clostridium spp. spores) and mammary pathogen prevalence (i.e., Staph. aureus, Mycoplasma spp.), as well as the use of combined screening methods for an increased rate of antimicrobial detection, are currently required strategies which are positively valuated by milk processors, industry and consumers. Other contaminants may also be present, but cost-effective screening and analytical systems have not yet been implemented. This review aims to be helpful for troubleshooting milk quality and safety, developing future premium payment systems and industry quality-standards, optimizing management, on-farm risk traceability systems and consumer acceptance.

Strategies for raw sheep milk storage in smallholdings: Effect of freezing or long-term refrigerated storage on microbial growth

“…In the European Community (EC), the TBC limit for milk of small ruminants is 500 × 10 3 cfu/mL for manufacturing products from nonpasteurized milk and 1,500 × 10 3 cfu/mL when milk is pasteurized (European Community, 1994; Directive 94/71/EC). However, both limits are considered high and indicative of poor hygienic practices or an inadequate refrigeration system (Gonzalo, 2017).…”

Pseudomonas SP. in uninspected raw goat’s milk in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…and may be associated with the presence of residues in milk. Little attention has been given to investigating factors that influence the presence of antibiotic residues in goat's milk and sheep's milk (Gonzalo et al, 2010;Gonzalo, 2018). The use of veterinary drugs in sheep and goats is typically intended to treat and prevent mastitis.…”

Polymorphism of Selected Regions of Ovar-MHC and the Health Status of the Ovine Mammary Gland

“…The main causes of udder diseases are pathogenic microorganisms-mainly staphylococci and streptococci, much less often bacilli (Gram+, Gram−), and mycoplasmas [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. In addition to pathogenic microorganisms, the development and course of mastitis are also influenced by genetic factors (individual, breed, and species-specific), biological factors (number of lactations and their phase, general health condition of the organism), and environmental factors (nutrition, care, type of premises, zoohygienic conditions) [17][18][19]. Immunity is a complex physiological process in which the major histocompatibility system plays a fundamental role.…”