Assessing microbial safety of milk obtained from raw milk sellers in Makerere Kikoni and Nankulabye, Kampala District between August and November 2021

Abstract

Milk consumption and demand continues to increase drastically in many areas around the country due to increased population. The University students residing in Makerere Kikoni and Nakulabye obtain their milk from neighbouring local dairies and grocery shops in the area. More so, the microbial safety of this milk is not known which could expose the students and the community at large to milk borne infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the microbial safety of raw milk among milk sellers in Makerere Kikoni and Nankulabye areas in Kawempe division Kampala district. This was a cross sectional study in which 30 raw milk samples were obtained from ten different Milk shops distributed randomly in the areas. The raw milk samples were taken to Microbiology lab at COVAB and cultured using suitable Medias for bacterial examination. The total coliform count, E. coli and Salmonella counts were determined. The bacteriology indices were evaluated against the UNBS and WHO accepted standards. The study revealed that the milk from Kikoni and Nankulabye areas had relatively high means for both total coliform and E. coli concentration (5.8×105 and5.4×105CFU/ml respectively) as compared to the UNBS and WHO standard. The mean lactometer reading from the sample was 1.025g/ml which was below the recommended range (1.028-1.036g/ml), implying heavy adulteration of milk with extraneous water. To conclude the study showed that milk sold does not meet the acceptable standards hence not fit for human consumption, it should only be consumed after boiling. It was recommended that Milk sellers in Kikoni and Nankulabye areas should ensure a cold chain for storage of milk to limit microbial multiplication and contamination.