Survey of the microbiological count of the milk collected from livestock ancient city of Garmsar, Semnan Province, Iran

Milk has a high nutritional value and can affect human health. Therefore, it is important to know the factors affecting its quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the raw milk microbial quality and factors affecting it. A total of 4260 raw cow milk samples, which were collected from villages around Garmsar city, Iran, and their microbial load were registered at Garmsar Dairy Cow Association between 2013 and 2014, was used in the present study. The total average ± SD of microbial load concentration was 3.02 × 10 5 ± 2.75 × 10 5 (CFU/ml). The average concentration of total bacteria in 2013 was 2.73 × 10 5 ± 1.58 × 10 5 (CFU/ml) and in 2014 it was 3.32 × 10 5 ± 3.93 × 10 5 (CFU/ml). Seasonally, it was 2.94 × 10 5 ± 1.72 × 10 5 (CFU/ml), 3.69 × 10 5 ± 4.55 × 10 5 (CFU/ml), 2.91 × 10 5 ± 1.62 × 10 5 (CFU/ml), and 2.63 × 10 5 ± 1.67 × 10 5 (CFU/ml) for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. There was a significant difference in seasonal average microbial concentration of milk samples ( p < 0.05). The present study concludes that microbial load of milk can be affected by environmental and hygienic conditions. Ranchers need to pay more attention to hygiene especially in warm seasons. Because in case of high microbial load in raw milk, even after milk pasteurization, it is not possible to have a high-quality and desirable product. Milk producers and distributors need also awareness in order to reduce the incidence of secondary contamination. But, the main correction is to establish direct supervision of the Ministry of Health onto the health of dairy cow farmers by structural integrity of Veterinary Medical Organization as the global one health.