African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (15), pp. 1383-1385, 3 August 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Microbiological examination of milk in Tarakeswar, India with special reference to coliforms

CHATTERJEE S. N.¹*, BHATTACHARJEE I. ², CHATTERJEE S.K ² and CHANDRA G. ¹

¹Microbiology Department, Rabindra Mahavidyalaya, Champadanga-712401, Hooghly

²Mosquito Research Unit, Parasitology and Microbiology Laboratory, Dept.of Zoology, University of Burdwan, Burdwan-713104, India.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: soumen_microbiology@rediffmail.com.

Accepted 17 February, 2006

A study was carried out to assess the milk quality in Tarakeswar, India with special reference to coliforms. By standard plate count (SPC) method, out of ten raw milk samples, the microbial colonies were found to be high in six samples and the colony content was low in rest four samples. In pasteurized milk samples, the colonies were low in seven samples and high in three samples. The methylene blue test performed for raw milk samples showed that out of ten samples, the five samples were poor, two samples were fair, two samples were good and only one sample was found to be an excellent. Out of ten pasteurized samples, nine samples were of good quality and one was found to be excellent. Bacterial colony was found to be opaque and metallic sheen in colour prepared from five raw milk samples, and by biochemical characterization it was identified as Escherichia coli.

Key words: Raw milk, pasteurized milk, methylene blue reduction test, standard plate count, coliforms.