Assessment of Milk Quality at Farm Level Using Laser Techniques

Milk plays a vital role in different aspects along the chain. The profit of dairy farms is affected by many factors like milk production and quality. Mastitis disease is one of the key risks that lead to a decrease in the milk quantity and quality, particularly sub-clinical mastitis which attacked on dairy udders without visible signs. So, the aim of this study was to set a practical protocol to evaluate the condition of milk quality along the chain using laser techniques. Ninety-nine dairy cattle (Holstein and crossbred Holstein* Montbeliarde) at commercial farm in Egypt were used in this study. The foremilk samples were collected. Milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC) were evaluated. Forty samples were selected according to SCC to be tested by laser -induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The results obtained indicated that milk yield, protein %, solid not fat (SNF%), lactose% and density were decreased in the mastitis milk (subclinical and clinical) compared to normal milk. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the Na (LIBS) score and milk content except fat %, and there was a positive correlation with SCC. This clear relationship could be proposed to assess the milk quality along the dairy chain using the LIBS technique to control quality, particularly at farm level.