Assessment of microbiological quality of raw milk produced and commercialized around INES Ruhengeri, Musanze district, Rwanda

Milk contains high nutrients for humans and animal, but due to these high nutrients content and water it allows the growth of many types of microorganisms. In Rwanda, the dairy products are still commercialized in formal and informal markets. The milk sold in informal markets cause significant human health risks. The aim of the present study was the assessment the microbiological quality of raw milk produced and commercialized around INES Ruhengeri, Rwanda. Thirty milk samples were collected from 3 sectors of Musanze district, Rwanda and analyzed in food microbiology lab of INES Ruhengeri. The Total Viable Counts (TVC), E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) had range from 2.3 × 105 cfu/ml to 9.1 × 105 cfu/ml, 1.8 × 102 to 2.9 × 102 cfu/ml and 1.8 × 102 to 2.2 × 102 cfu/ml respectively. The level of significant was not significant between TVC, S. aureus and E. coli count at p > 0.05. 3.3% of all samples were contaminated by Salmonella spp. It was concluded that high counts of bacteria were found in raw milk. The standards for the raw milks should be established and the raw milk producers should be given the appropriate training in hygienic handling of milk