Hygienic Quality of Raw Cows’ Milk at Farm level in Dharan, Nepal

Abstract

The study was aimed to assess the quality of raw milk and hygienic status of dairy farms at household level in Dharan due to the fact that milk produced in Nepal by the informal sector is not regulated by any agency and such milk may pose a health hazard due to contamination with pathogens. This study was conducted between February and March, 2019 and accomplished in three phases viz. field survey, physicochemical analysis with clot-on-boiling (COB), alcohol and acidity tests as well as microbial examinations with aerobic mesophilic bacterial count (AMBC) and coliform count (CC). The survey findings revealed that majority of the dairy farms still practiced traditional methods as a result of which earthen floor with no bedding materials were seen on majority of the barns. Although 80% farmers cleaned their barn on daily basis but 54% calves were not in a good hygienic condition. Also, 90% farmers allow their calf to suck the teats; 60% supplemented their cows with locally available feed and 87% had municipal tap water facility. The overall mean of AMBC and CC were 7.5×10⁴ and 4.5×10⁴ cfu/ml respectively (p> 0.05) which were much higher than standard set by Institute of Medicine and National Research Council (US). The overall mean of % lactic acid was 0.20% and predicted probabilities of COB and alcohol positive tests were 13% and 33% respectively. The results obtained from the study indicated that the current situation is critical and needs hygienic milking and handling practices.