Assessment of Quality and Safety of Farm Level Produced Cheeses from Sheep and Goat Milk

Abstract

Consumption of sheep’s and goat’s milk and cheese is currently increasing. The production process of these types of cheese is being carried out by traditional domestic production at farm level. However, knowledge in the field of hygiene, technology and health safety of cheeses are still insufficient. This study aimed to examine the physical and chemical quality and microbiological safety of sheep’s and goat’s milk and cheeses made from them. The month of milking influenced the content of milk components (p p > 0.05). Level of contamination by Enterobacteriaceae sp. and coagulase-positive staphylococci was lower than 5 log CFU/mL in sheep’s and goat’s milk. During the ripening time, the number of lactic acid bacteria significantly raised (p p p < 0.01). Under the applicable regulations, the analyzed samples were evaluated as suitable for human consumption.

Keywords

• sheep and goat milk
• cheeses
• food quality
• microbial safety
• SCC