SOMATIC CELL AND AEROBIC MESOPHYLIC MICROORGANISMS COUNTS IN ORGANIC RAW MILK PRODUCED IN BOTUCATU-SP, BRAZIL

Abstract

Milk production in the organic system, minimizes the use of chemical products and respects the social and environmental aspects, the appropriate hygienic and sanitary practices, and the good handling of the livestock. It is also important to obtain milk of quality, because a high bacterial count in milk may reduce the shelf-life and it may cause public health problems. Milk samples were collected weekly for three months from five farms certificated for organic milk production in Botucatu region, SP, to evaluate their quality. Somatic cells count (CCS/mL) and mesophile microorganism count (CFU/mL) were performed. SCC/mL maintained normal, with significative difference in two farms. There was no correlation between SCC/mL and CFU/mL. Considering that the CFU/mL count was higher than the limit established by the current legislation in three farms, and it did not correspond to SCC/mL, which was within the normal range, it may indicate contamination during the milking process or after that, due to the isolation of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, environmental pathogens. It suggests the introduction of a sanitary educational program for the obtention of hygienic milk, involving a participative process with the milkers, respecting the principles of the organic agriculture.