A Review on Microbiological Quality of Ethiopian Raw Bovine Milk

Abstract

This paper has reviewed researches that obtained from peer-reviewed literature published within 2000 to 2014 on microbiological quality of raw bovine milk in different parts of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has the largest livestock production in Africa. 83% of milk is produced from cow and the left is from camel and goat. Almost all cattle in the country is local breeds and during 2013 cow milk production potential of the country was about 2.9 billion liters, the average lactation period per cow is estimated to be about six months, and average milk yield per cow per day is about 1.37 liters. Samples of raw milk produced and/or transported to consumers in different parts of the country showed that almost all microbiological counts was above the international accepted standard level (>10⁵cfu/ml and >10²cfu/ml for AMBC and Entrobacteriaceae/coliform counts, respectively) and different pathogenic (spoilage) bacteria have identified, it is probably because of problem related with health of milking cows, poor production and handling practices, and contaminants from milking environment. Therefore, awareness creation about quality milk production and good handling practices produced, transported until consumption is necessary; the concerned body shall control quality of milk regularly and also set standard for microbial quality.

Keywords: Bovine; Ethiopia; microbes; quality; raw milk