Quality evaluation of raw milk collected from local markets at Madhupur upazila of Tangail district

Abstract

Milk is nature’s best gift, however, it becomes adulterated by unscrupulous middlemen. A lot of research work has been carried out on quality evaluation of raw milk based on Mymensingh, Sirajgonj, Pabna and Bogra districts. But no particular research has been reported on quality evaluation of raw milk of Madhupur upazila at Tangail district. A large number of small scale farmers of Madhupur upazila are engaged in dairy cow rearing and sale milk in local market. That’s why this experiment was set to evaluate the existing quality of raw milk available at Madhupur upazila of Tangail district. A total of 27 raw milk samples were collected from three selected local markets namely Anginarpar Bazar (A), Hatkhola Bazar (B) and Kakrait Bazar (C) during the period of 1st October to 29th November, 2013. Parameters studied in this experiment were organoleptic (colour, flavour, taste and texture), chemical (specific gravity, acidity, fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-tat, ash, total solids and moisture) and microbiological (total viable count and coliform count). Tests for adulteration such as starch, formalin, cane sugar and colouring agents were also performed. All the samples were more or less similar in respect of colour, flavour, taste and texture. From chemical parameters, significant difference was revealed (p<0.01) in case of acidity and fat content. Total viable count and coliform count was higher in the milk samples compared to standard, while statistical analysis of the samples showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in case of coliform count. Milk samples collected from Kakrait Bazar (C) were superior to other markets in terms of fat (36.83±0.29 g kg-1), protein (34.17±1.26 g kg-1), lactose (45.72±1.02 g kg- 1) and total solids (124.72±1.95 g kg-1) content. Though there was a little fluctuation among the parameters regarding the standard, all the samples showed negative results in adulteration tests. It can be concluded that proper hygienic measures were not taken by farmers during milking and transporting to the market, otherwise the raw milk samples were of good quality.