Assessment of bacteriological quality of raw bulk milk of camel, cow and goat from local markets in Yabello District, Borana Zone, Oromia Regional State

Abstract Background: The study was conducted from September 2020 to June 2021to assess the bacteriological quality of raw bulkmilkfrom urban and rural local market sites in Borana pastoral area of Oromia Regional State, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 78 milk samples were collected and analyzed for bacterial load using standard plate count and coliform count techniques and isolation of pathogenic bacteria was conducted. Results: The total mean aerobic bacterial counts of raw bulk milk samples of camel, cow and goat were 8.51 log cfu/ml, 8.73 log cfu/ml and 8.54log cfu/ml respectively. Regarding the location of milk market sites the mean total aerobic bacterial count was 8.72 log cfu/ml and 8.49 log cfu/mlin urban and rural milk market sites respectively. The total mean coliform counts of raw bulk milk samples of camel, cow and goat were6.51log cfu/ml, 6.55 log cfu/ml and 6.47 log cfu/ml respectively. Regarding the location of milk market sites the total mean coliform counts was 6.63 log cfu/ml and 6.40log cfu/ml from urban and rural milk market sites respectively.Comparing the mean differences of the total mean aerobic and coliform bacterial counts, there was no significant mean differences (p>0.05) among the animal milk samples. However, there was significant mean differences (p<0.05) among the milk market sites. Conclusions: Different bacterial species were isolated from camel, cow and goat raw milk sample from the urban and rural milkmarket sites. The major bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic), Escherichia coli and Bacillus species. Generally the unhygienic milk handling resulted in poor milk quality in the pastoral area. Therefore there is a need of training for persons at the various milk market siteson strict hygienic measures to improve the bacteriological safety of cow milk.