Chemical and gross microbial quality of milk marketed in abbottabad

ABSTRACT

Eighty four milk samples from twenty eight randomly selected shops, were analyzed during July-September, 1989 to study their chemical and microbiological composition. It was observed that milk samples of different areas varied widely in their chemical composition. The average per cent values of water content 89, acidity 0.177, protein 3.75, casein 3.0, fat 3.5, total solids 11 and solid-non-fat 7.5 were observed. Mean specific gravity was found to be 1.031. Microbial examination revealed that about 66% samples were contaminated. Out of all the contaminated samples, 57% had Gram-positive coed, 57% contained Gram-negative bacilli and 60% had fungal growth, Most of the milk samples were of poor quality having higher water content and lower fat, total solids and solid-non-fat concentration as against recommended values. Bacterial and fungal flora were also found to be quite high