BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MILK AND MILK PRODUCT SOLD IN JALINGO METROPOLIS, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the biochemical characterization of milk and its product sold in Jalingo metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria. A 100 samples of milk and milk product yoghurt were collected comprising 50 milk and 50 yoghurt samples each. The samples were analysed for microbial contamination. The culture media (MacConkey agar, SSA and EMA) were prepared according to manufacturers’ instruction. The test samples were inoculated and preserved for 24 hours. Obtained isolate were subjected to biochemical tests. The results revealed that 20 (40.0%) of the 50 milk samples collected was contaminated with one or more microorganisms while non 0 (0%) of the milk product (yoghurt) was contaminated. Milk samples collected from Mayo-Dasa showed highest contamination of 70.0% among the collected samples. The results further showed that 45.0% of the organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, 35.0% were Escherichia coli, 15.0% were Salmonella species and 5.0% were Proteus species, revealing that majority of milk contaminant in the study area were from S. aureus. However, from the results obtained it is recommended that good management practices and hygiene should be strictly adhered to in milk and milk product (yoghurt) to prevent contamination.