Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Study on the Prevalence and Distribution of Staphylococcus aureus in Raw Cow Milk Originated from Alage Atvet College Dairy Farm, Ethiopia

Derebe Tessema and Solomon Tsegaye

This investigation was carried out from October 2011-June 2012 to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus in milk and rate of contamination at farm and milk distribution tank in Alage Agricultural Technical Vocational Educational Training College. Milk samples (row) were cultured on sheep blood agar and incubated. The plates were examined for gross colony morphology, pigmentation and haemolytic characteristics at 24-48 h then presumptive colonies of Staphylococcus aureus was selected and sub cultured on nutrient agar and incubated. Then, bacteria were identified according to its Gram reaction, morphology and the catalase test, tube coagulase test (4 h), haemolysis, pigment production (golden yellow), mannitol and maltose fermentation were used. A total of 170 milk sample of cow were examined for bacteriological status of S. aureus, an overall 28.2% prevalence of Staphylococcus was found. From this, 21.2% was directly from the farm and 35.3% were from milk distributing site to consumers. The total prevalence of Staphylococcus varied among the sample taking site. The prevalence of S. aureus from distributing raw milk site (35.3%) was significantly higher than the prevalence of S. aureus from samples taken directly from the farm (21.2%). From this the study it is considered that Staphylococcosis a potential hazard for the public and contamination rate is high in distribution site which needs improvement of the hygienic status of the personnel’s at distribution site.