Advances in dairy Research
Open Access

Abstract

Microbial Hazard Analysis in the Pasteurized Milk Production Value Chain at a Commercial Dairy Plant in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia

Abraham Mikru

Previous works in Ethiopia largely focused on end product quality analysis of different brands of pasteurized milk from retail markets. The aim of this study was to assess microbial hazards in the value chain of pasteurized milk production at a dairy plant in Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia. Ten milk samples were collected and analyzed from each of four presumptive, critical control points in the pasteurized milk production chain. Critical control point (CCP1) was the raw milk at the receiver tank just before it goes to the processing line, CCP2 - pasteurized milk before being packed, CCP3 - pasteurized milk immediately after packed and the CCP4 - pasteurized milk in the market. The overall mean Aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts at the respective CCPs in log10 cfu ml-1 were 8.21 (CCP1), 5.04 (CCP2), 6.06 (CCP3) and 6.14 (CCP4). The aerobic mesophilic bacterial genera were dominated by isolates related to Bacillus followed by Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Likewise the overall mean Enterobacteriaceae counts in log10 cfu ml-1 were 6.1 (CCP1), 0.00 (CCP2), 5 (CCP3) and 4.8 (CCP4). The overall mean total coliform counts in log10 cfu ml-1 were 4.09 (CCP1), 0.00 (CCP2), 3.22 (CCP3) and 3.48 (CCP4). More than 50% of the raw milk samples had mean fecal coliform count exceeding 5 log10 cfu ml-1. E. coli was detected in 60% (6 of 10) of the raw milk samples. The observed counts of hygienic indicator microorganisms throughout the stages were above the maximum acceptable limit of both national and international standards, the raw milk being the primary culprit. Therefore relevant corrective measures are recommended to rectify the deviations and avoid potential disease outbreaks.

Published Date: 2021-04-19; Received Date: 2021-02-27