Hygienic-sanitary evaluation of the commercial goat milk in Paraíba State, Brazil

Abstract

Six commercial brands of goat milk sold in Paraíba State were evaluated. Microbiological analyses of 24 samples were collected in four different periods, including aerobic mesophilic counts, yeasts and moulds and, and total fecal coliforms. The counts ranged from 1.30 to 3.32, 0.71 to 0.99, and from 0.00 to 0.57 Log.UFC/mL for total aerobic mesophiles, moulds, yeasts and total coliforms, respectively. All samples were negative for fecal coliforms. The microbiological status of all samples was in accordance with the current food safety mandates in Brazil, as provided by the Technical Production Guideline for Identification and Quality of Goat Milk from the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry. However, significant differences (P<0.05) in aerobic mesophilic bacteria were observed amongst the different goat milk brands. This suggests that there are critical points related to the production and processing of goat milk that may affect the microbiological quality of the product. Therefore, further studies focusing on specific pathogens contaminating goat milk need to be performed. With further investigation, we can better evaluate the quality of these foods and to provide the useful information necessary for food safety assurance in the goat milk production systems of Paraíba, Brazil.