Hygienic score of the production process on the farm and its relation to raw milk quality: 1. somatic cells count and total number of microorganisms

Abstract

The aim of study was to investigate a correlation between hygienic score of the production process on the farm and parameters of quality of raw milk (somatic cell count, SCC and total number of microorganisms,). Total of 25 surveyed farms were divided into three groups (group A, n=5, large farms; group B, n=10, small farms, and group C, n=10, individual producers). Values of hygienic score of production process were determined by questionnaires given in the work, and the values of SCC and total number of microorganisms by using FossomaticTM Minor and BactoscanTM TC50 (Foss, Denmark). Average values of hygienic score were the highest on the group A farms (88.25±3.68 points, score very good, 4/5), and the lowest on farms from Group C (55.67±4.94 points, score unsatisfying, 1/5). SCC was significantly higher on farms from group C compared to ones from groups A and B (505027±89990 vs.167728±35780, p<0.05, and 236045±38712, p<0.01, respectively). The total number of microorganisms in the tested milk samples was highest on Group C farms (207786±74859), and the lowest in ones from the group B farms (90423±14828). Results of of this study indicate a significant effect of regular implementation of hygienic measures in the production process on the parameters of hygienic quality, and thus the quality of raw milk.

Keywords

• milk
• hygienic score
• quality
• somatic cells
• microorganisms