Abstract:
The present work was conducted to evaluate the quality of raw milk along its value chain in
Nyala city, South Darfur state, the Sudan. A total of (219) milk samples were collected from
dairy farms (immediately after milking), groceries (before boiling) and mini markets (without
any treatments). The samples were collected in sterile iced containers at about 4 C, and then
transferred to the laboratory of Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Nyala for further
analysis to assess sensory measures and microbial quality. The results indicated that (55.3%) of
samples from dairy farms showed clear appearance, where, (54%) and (38%) of groceries and
mini markets milk samples correspondingly had normal appearance. The color assessment as
white was 100%, 97.7% and 87% for mini markets, groceries and dairy farms respectively. The
results elucidated that normal taste was dominant (74%, 69.4% and 44%) for raw milk samples
from groceries, dairy farms and mini markets respectively, however, a few samples from the
three sources showed color and taste abnormality. The mean standard deviation for standard
plate counts SPC (expressed in log 10cfu/ml) for groceries milk samples was significantly
(P<.05) higher (5.670.026) than dairy farms (5.560.026) and mini markets (5.59 0.064) ones.
The results showed that coliform bacteria were detected in (20%) of mini markets milk samples.
Raw milk samples from groceries had revealed highest (25%) coliform numbers of bacterial cells
compared with both dairy farms (21%) and mini markets numbers. However, chi square test
(2 0.667) declared no significant (P.05) association between source of milk and presence of
E.coli. Based on SPC; the raw milk samples collected from the three sources (farms, groceries
and mini markets) in the present study is acceptable ,but, still more efforts are needed for dairy
farms to apply hygienic measures in raw milk value chain as whole |
