ABSTRACT

Milk is an important source of nutrient to humans and animals. It is meant to be the first and the only food for the offspring of mammals as it is capable to serve as food. This study evaluated the microbial quality of raw milk from dairy farm. About three raw milk samples were collected from Fulani cattle settlement, Umuahia, Abia State. The samples were analyzed using the microbiological techniques for isolation and identification of isolates.  The microbial load of the samples ranged from 8.2x105 CFU/ml to 6.0 x 105 CFU/ml. About five (5) bacterial genera were isolated which comprised of 3 (25%) Lactobacillus spp., 3 (25%) Listeria spp., 3 (25%) Salmonella spp., 2 (16.7%) Proteus spp. And 1 (8.3%) The presence of bacteria responsible for intoxication such as Staphylococcus aureus may be a public health problem if no precaution is taken against this contamination.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgment iv

Table of contents v

List of tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aims and objectives of the study 5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review 6

2.1 Definition and composition of milk 6

2.2 General overview of milk production and safety in a dairy farm 6

2.3 Source of microbial contamination of milk 7

2.4 Milkborne infections and pathogenic micro-organisms 8

2.5 Hygiene, handling and microbial evaluation of raw milk 8

2.6 Prevention and control of microbial contamination of milk 9

2.7 Antimicrobial residues, bacterial resistance and their effects 

to animals and humans 9

2.8 Milk-borne infections and pathogenic microorganisms 11

2.9 Nigerian policy on food hygiene and safety 13

2.9.1 National legislations 13

2.10 Dairy development in Nigeria 14

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods 16

3.1 Study area and sample collection  16

3.2 Sampling of milk/size 16

3.3 Milk sample handling 16

3.4 Media preparation 16

3.5 Inoculation and incubation of the sample 17

3.6 Identification and characterization of isolates 17

3.6.1 Gram staining technique 17

3.7 Biochemical tests 18

3.7.1 Catalase test 18

3.7.2 Oxidase test 18

3.7.3 Indole test 18

3.7.4 Citrate utilization test 19

3.7.5 Motility test 19

3.7.6 Coagulase test 19

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion 24

5.1 Conclusion 25

5.2 Recommendation 26

REFERENCES