Saturday 11 October 2014

Chemical composition, anti-oxidative activity and in vitro dry matter degradability of Kinnow mandarin fruit waste - Ravleen Kour, Ankur Rastogi, R. K. Sharma, Arvind Kumar and Pratiksha Raghuwanshi
Veterinary World, 7(10): 803-806



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.803-806



Aim: Fruit processing and consumption yield a significant amount of by-products as waste, which can be used as potential nutrient suppliers for livestock. “Kinnow” (Citrus nobilis Lour x Citrus deliciosa Tenora) is one of the most important citrus fruit crops of North Indian States. Its residues are rich in carbohydrates but poor in protein and account for approximately 55-60% of the raw weight of the fruit. Present study assessed the chemical composition and anti-oxidative activity of Kinnow mandarin fruit waste (KMW) and scrutinized the impact of dietary incorporation of variable levels of KMW on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD).
Materials and Methods: Sun dried and ground KMW was analyzed for proximate composition, fibre fractions and calcium and phosphorus content. Antioxidant potential of KMW as total phenolic count and 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity was assayed in an alcoholic extract of KMW. The effect of inclusion of KMW at variable levels (0-40%) in the isonitrogenous concentrate mixtures on in vitrodegradability of composite feed (concentrate mixture:Wheat straw; 40:60) was also carried out.
Results: KMW after sun-drying contained 92.05% dry matter. The crude protein content of 7.60% indicates it being marginal in protein content, whereas nitrogen free extract content of 73.69% suggests that it is primarily a carbonaceous feedstuff. This observation was also supported by low neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content of 26.35% and 19.50%, respectively. High calcium content (0.92%) vis-à-vis low phosphorus content (0.08%), resulted in wide Ca:P ratio (11.5) in KMW. High anti-oxidative potential of KMW is indicated by total phenolic content values of 17.1±1.04 mg gallic acid equivalents/g and DPPH free radicle scavenging activity 96.2 μg/ml (effective concentration 50). Mean IVDMD% of all the composite rations was found to be comparable (p>0.05) irrespective of the level of KMW inclusion, indicating no negative effect of KMW inclusion on in vitro nutrient utilization.
Conclusion: KMW is a carbonaceous feedstuff and may be incorporated in ruminant ration up to the level of 40% (w/w basis) without affecting in vitro degradability.
Keywords: antioxidant, in vitro dry matter digestibility, Kinnow mandarin waste, unconventional feedstuff.

Thursday 9 October 2014

Effect of garlic and neem leaf powder supplementation on growth performance and carcass traits in broilers

Effect of garlic and neem leaf powder supplementation on growth performance and carcass traits in broilers - Karan Rajendra Kharde and S. Soujanya
Veterinary World, 7(10): 799-802


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.799-802


Karan Rajendra Kharde: Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India;karankharde@gmail.com
S. Soujanya: Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Korutla, Karimnagar, Telangana, India; sonurv36@gmail.com

Received: 25-06-2014, Revised: 31-08-2014, Accepted: 07-09-2014, Published online: 09-10-2014

Corresponding author: S. Soujanya, e-mail: sonurv36@gmail.com


Aim: Present experiment was designed to study the effect of supplementation of garlic and neem leaf powder (NLP) on growth performance and carcass yields in broilers.
Materials and Methods: A total of 210-day-old commercial male broiler chicks (Ven Cobb) were procured and randomly distributed in to seven treatments, each treatment had six replicates with five chicks per each replicate. Growth trial was conducted in a randomized block design comprising seven dietary treatments. T1 was served as control. T2 and T3 were fed with garlic powder (GP) 0.5, 1 g/kg feed respectively. T4 and T5 were given with NLP 1, 2 g/kg feed respectively. T6 was fed with 0.5 g/kg GP and 1.0 g/kg NLP. T7 was treated with 1.0 g/kg GP and 2.0 g/kg NLP. The body weight, feed consumption of individual bird was recorded at weekly interval and the body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. At the end of 42 day, six birds from each dietary group were sacrificed to estimate the dressing yield and relative weights of giblet (liver, heart and gizzard).
Results: Supplementation of garlic and NLP alone and their combination significantly (p<0.05) improved the body weight gain and FCR whereas no significant (p>0.05) influence was observed in carcass parameters like dressing yield and giblet yield (heart, gizzard and liver) in all treatment groups.
Conclusions: Supplementation of GP alone showed poor performance, but when it was supplemented in combination with NLP there was improvement in performance parameters. These results indicated that the combination of GP and NLP can be used as alternates to coccidiostats for improving the performance. Such meat can be used as a designer meat as fetch higher price if marketed as branded item.

Keywords: body weight gain, carcass yield, feed conversion ratio, garlic, neem.

Hematology and serum biochemistry of captive gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in India

Hematology and serum biochemistry of captive gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in India - Shahnaz Amin and Avadh Bihari Shrivastav
Veterinary World, 7(10): 794-798


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.794-798


Shahnaz Amin: Centre for Wildlife Forensics and Health, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, South Civil Lines, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India; vetsamin@live.com
Avadh Bihari Shrivastav: Centre for Wildlife Forensics and Health, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, South Civil Lines, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India; drabshrivastav@gmail.com

Received: 31-05-2014, Revised: 02-09-2014, Accepted: 07-09-2014, Published online: 09-10-2014

Corresponding author: Shahnaz Amin, e-mail: vetsamin@live.com


Aim: To study the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the critically endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
Materials and Methods: Blood samples for hemato-biochemical analyses were collected from the ventral median coccygeal vein of six juvenile and six sub adult gharials of Dewari Gharial Rearing Centre of National Chambal Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India. Hematological examination was performed manually. Differential leukocyte count was performed on the blood smears stained with Giemsa’s stain. The analysis of serum was conducted by eppendorf ECOM-F 6124 semi auto biochemical analyzer using standard ERBA biochemical reagent kits.
Results: Peripheral blood cells of gharial showed erythrocytes with an oval outline and centrally located prominent round to oval nucleus. Erythrocyte count in sub adult gharials was significantly greater than juveniles. Whereas erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume and erythrocyte size in juveniles was significantly larger than sub adults. The average most abundant leukocyte type in gharial was lymphocytes (53%), followed by heterophils (27%), eosinophils (10%), monocytes (7%) and basophils (3%). Aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides and albumin concentrations in sub adult gharials were significantly higher than juveniles. No significant differences were determined in other hemato-biochemical parameters between juvenile and sub adult gharials under study.
Conclusion: A preliminary database on hematology and blood biochemistry of gharial was established. The data will be useful in routine health evaluations, especially in relation to determining potential effects associated with factors such as pollution and infectious diseases.

Keywords: crocodilians, gharial, Gavialis gangeticus, hematobiochemistry, National Chambal Sanctuary.

Characterization of virulent Listeria monocytogenes isolates recovered from ready-to-eat meat products and consumers in Cairo, Egypt

Characterization of virulent Listeria monocytogenes isolates recovered from ready-to-eat meat products and consumers in Cairo, Egypt - Maysa A. I. Awadallah and Iman I. A. Suelam
Veterinary World, 7(10): 788-793


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.788-793


Maysa A. I. Awadallah: Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; maysavet@hotmail.com
Iman I. A. Suelam: Veterinary Hospital,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; Dakahlia2000@yahoo.com

Received: 30-06-2014, Revised: 01-09-2014, Accepted: 05-09-2014, Published online: 08-10-2014

Corresponding author: Maysa A. I. Awadallah, e-mail: maysavet@hotmail.com


Aim: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of some virulence genes distributed in Listeria monocytogenes isolated from ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products and consumers in Cairo province, Egypt.
Materials and Methods: A total of 120 beef luncheon, chicken luncheon and frankfurter beef (40 samples, each) were collected from 10 different local shops situated in Al-salam city, Cairo province, Egypt. Stool samples were collected from 40 people who had the habit of consuming RTE meat. The suspected L. monocytogenes isolates were subjected to a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid speciation and virulence determination using primers specific for inIAinIC, and inIJ genes.
Results: Culture examination of all samples on Oxford media revealed presence of colonies characteristic to L. monocytogenes in 6 beef luncheon (15%), 4 chicken luncheon (10%), 1 frankfurter beef (2.5%) and 1 human stool (2.5%) samples. Species identity of L. monocytogenes was verified through the amplification of a 800 bp fragment with inIA primers in 2 out of 6 culture isolates from beef luncheon (5%), and 1 out 4 culture isolates from chicken luncheon (2.5%) samples. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in different food samples examined (p>0.05). The virulence of these strains was ascertained by the presence of 517 bp and 238 bp fragments of inIC and inIJ genes, respectively in the isolates that contained the 800 bp fragment. The culture isolates obtained from one frankfurter beef sample, and one human stool sample were found negative by multiplex PCR for the presence of L. monocytogenes and its virulence specific genes.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that L. monocytogenes are circulating in beef and chicken luncheon sold in Cairo, Egypt. Multiplex PCR is reliable for confirmation of L. monocytogenes. This study suggests the implementation of hygienic measures at all levels from production to consumption in order to improve food safety. Furthermore, authors recommended consumption of beef frankfurter or any RTE meat sold in their original intact packing due to low level of contamination.

Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes,, consumers, ready-to-eat meat, speciation and virulence determination.

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli among broilers in Bareilly region

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli among broilers in Bareilly region - Hina Malik, Ashok Kumar, S. Rajagunalan, J. L. Kataria, Anjay and Swati Sachan
Veterinary World, 7(10): 784-787


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.784-787


Hina Malik: Division of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India; hinaiqbal@rediffmail.com
Ashok Kumar: Division of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India;ashokakt@rediffmail.com
S. Rajagunalan: Division of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India;drgunavet@gmail.com
J. L. Kataria: Division of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India; jluvjkat@gmail.com
Anjay: Division of Veterinary Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India; dranjayvet@gmail.com
Swati Sachan: Immunology Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India; swatischan@gmail.com

Received: 20-06-2014, Revised: 28-08-2014, Accepted: 04-09-2014, Published online: 08-10-2014

Corresponding author: Hina Malik, e-mail: hinaiqbal@rediffmail.com


Aim: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli among broilers at the time of slaughter in and around Bareilly, India.
Materials and Methods: A total of 100 chicken caecal samples were screened by conventional plating in modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar with incubation at 42°C for 48 h under microaerophilic conditions. The characteristic colonies were confirmed by morphological and biochemical characteristics and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay targeting lpxA gene.
Results: Out of 100 chicken caecal samples, 32 yielded isolates with typical phenotypic of Campylobacter species. The hippurate hydrolysis test found to be positive for 2 isolates, categorized as C. jejuni and negative for 30 isolates. The mPCR assay targeting lpxA gene also confirmed 2 (6.25%) isolates as C. jejuni, and 30 (93.75%) isolates as C. coli.
Conclusion: The present study showed broilers to an important source of Campylobacter in the region with predominance of C. coli than C. jejuni indicating a shift in the prevalence of important species of Campylobacter. To understand the variation in pattern of occurrence of species with high prevalence of organisms, detail studies on the ecology of campylobacteriosis are suggested.

Keywords: Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, multiplex polymerase chain reaction, lpxA gene.

Sunday 5 October 2014

Effect of shade materials on microclimate of crossbred calves during summer

Effect of shade materials on microclimate of crossbred calves during summer - Reena Kamal, Triveni Dutt, B. H. M. Patel, Amitava Dey, P. C. Chandran, S. K. Barari, Asit Chakrabarti and Bharat Bhusan
Veterinary World, 7(10): 776-783


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.776-783


Reena Kamal: Livestock Production and Management Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India;
dr.reenakamal@yahoo.com
Triveni Dutt: Livestock Production and Management Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India;
jdeeivri@gmail.com
B. H. M. Patel: Livestock Production and Management Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India; mpatellpm@gmail.com
Amitava Dey: Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India; amitavdey_icar@yahoo.co.in
P. C. Chandran: Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India; vetchandran@gmail.com
S. K. Barari: Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India; skbarari@yahoo.co.in
Asit Chakrabarti: Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India; asit1963@yahoo.com
Bharat Bhusan: Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India;bhusan.drbharat@gmail.com

Received: 09-07-2014, Revised: 04-08-2014, Accepted: 09-08-2014, Published online: 05-10-2014

Corresponding author: Reena Kamal, e-mail: dr.reenakamal@yahoo.com


Aim: The present study was carried out on cattle and buffalo farm of Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (Uttar Pradesh) to determine the effect of different shade materials on physiological performance in Vrindavani crossbred calves during the summer.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight crossbred calves were divided into four groups viz. Thatch shading roof (T1), agro-net shading roof - 60 % light diffusion (T2), asbestos with canvas shading roof (T3) and well-grown tree (T4). The recording of macro and micro climate as well as the physiological parameters viz. rectal temperature and respiration rate were recorded at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM for 2 consecutive days at every fortnight interval.
Result: The microclimate viz. maximum and minimum, relative humidity, temperature humidity index and surface temperature of the roof was lower in T2 group in the summer season. The physiological responses viz. rectal temperature and respiration rate was significantly higher in T4.
Conclusion: During the summer season both thatch and agro-net shade material helped in better relieving the summer stress.

Keywords: crossbred calves, microclimate, rectal temperature, respiration rate, shade materials, summer.

Antitrypanosomal effect of methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (ginger) on Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected Wistar mice

Antitrypanosomal effect of methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (ginger) on Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected Wistar mice - P. I. Kobo, P. J. Erin, M. M. Suleiman, H. Aliyu, M. Tauheed, S. Muftau and M. Mamman
Veterinary World, 7(10): 770-775


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.770-775


P. I. Kobo: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;
patriciakobo@yahoo.com
P. J. Erin: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;pius4u2c@yahoo.com
M. M. Suleiman: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;mohsulai@yahoo.com
H. Aliyu: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;haliyu63@gmail.com
M. Tauheed: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;mtauheed40@yahoo.com
S. Muftau: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;shittumuftau@yahoo.com
M. Mamman: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria;mammanm@hotmail.com

Received: 15-05-2014, Revised: 18-08-2014, Accepted: 24-08-2014, Published online: 05-10-2014

Corresponding author: Patricia Ishaku Kobo, e-mail: patriciakobo@yahoo.com


Aim: The study was carried out to determine the in vivo antitrypanosomal effect of methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (ginger) inTrypanosoma brucei brucei-infected mice.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-five mice were randomly allocated into five groups of five animals each. Group I and II were given Tween 80 (1 ml/kg) and diminazene aceturate (3.5 mg/kg) to serve as untreated and treated controls, respectively. Groups III-V received the extract at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All treatments were given for 6 consecutive days and through the oral route. The mean body weight, mean survival period and daily level of parasitaemia were evaluated.
Results: Acute toxicity showed the extract to be relatively safe. There was an insignificant increase in body weight and survival rate of mice treated with the extract. The level of parasitaemia in the extract treated groups was decreased.
Conclusion: This study shows the in vivo potential of methanolic extract of Z. officinale in the treatment of trypanosomiasis.

Keywords: parasitaemia, survival rate, trypanosomiasis, Zingiber officinale.

Isolation and polymerase chain reaction-based identification of Riemerella anatipestifer from ducks in Kerala, India

Isolation and polymerase chain reaction-based identification of Riemerella anatipestifer from ducks in Kerala, India - Manju Soman, Sreeja R. Nair, M. Mini, Binu K. Mani and Siju Joseph
Veterinary World, 7(10): 765-769


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.765-769


Manju Soman: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India;manjuso1993@gmail.com
Sreeja R. Nair: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India;drsreejarnair@gmail.com
M. Mini: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India; drmmini@yahoo.co.in
Binu K. Mani: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India;binukmani@yahoo.com
Siju Joseph: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India; siju96@gmail.com

Received: 29-06-2014, Revised: 27-08-2014, Accepted: 01-09-2014, Published online: 05-10-2014

Corresponding author: Manju Soman, e-mail: manjuso1993@gmail.com


Aim: The aim was to isolate and characterize Riemerella anatipestifer organisms from disease outbreaks in ducks in Kerala.
Materials and Methods: Ducklings, suspected of Riemerella infection, were sacrificed and subjected to post-mortem examination. Heart blood smears and impression smears from liver and spleen were examined for the presence of pathogenic organisms. Heart blood, lung, liver, and spleen collected aseptically from the birds were subjected to isolation trials in brain heart infusion agar and 10% bovine blood agar. The isolates were characterized based on morphology, cultural characteristics and biochemical tests, and their identity were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PCR amplified DNA was sequenced. The antibiotic sensitivity testing of the isolates were carried out using six antibiotics viz ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, amoxycillin, cotrimoxazole, and gentamicin.
Results: Colonies suggestive of Riemerella organisms could be isolated on blood agar. Biochemical characterization and PCR confirmed the identity of isolates as R. anatipestifer. The nucleotide sequence of the PCR product showed 99% homology to the R. anatipestifer sequences in the NCBI. The antibiogram revealed that the organisms were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and gentamicin.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that the PCR assay can facilitate fast and proper identification of R. anatipestifer infection in ducks. The assay can also differentiate between R. anatipestifer and Pasteurella multocida and can replace the traditional methods of differentiation which are cumbersome and time-consuming.

Keywords: antibiogram, ducks, isolation, polymerase chain reaction, Riemerella anatipestifer.

Epidemiological study on human and canine leptospirosis in Central and North Kerala

Epidemiological study on human and canine leptospirosis in Central and North Kerala - Manju Soman, V. Jayaprakasan and M. Mini
Veterinary World, 7(10): 759-764


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.759-764


Manju Soman: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India;manjuso1993@gmail.com
V. Jayaprakasan: Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India;jayaprakasanv@yahoo.com
M. Mini; Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India; drmmini@yahoo.co.in

Received: 23-06-2014, Revised: 29-08-2014, Accepted: 01-09-2014, Published online: 05-10-2014

Corresponding author: Manju Soman, e-mail: manjuso1993@gmail.com


Aim: The aim was to study the epidemiology of human and animal leptospirosis in Central and Northern Kerala, by isolation techniques and serology.
Materials and Methods: Kidney tissues from 35 rodents (11 bandicoots and 24 rats), autopsy specimens from two canines, blood from 15 canines and 30 human beings were subjected to isolation trials for Leptospira. Sera from these animals and human beings were screened for leptospiral antibodies by microscopic agglutination test (MAT).
Results: Leptospira could be isolated from human blood as well as from rodent kidney tissues. The MAT could detect the presence of leptospiral antibodies in 54.54% of human sera, 36.36% of dog sera and 21.42% of rodent sera. Pomona and Australis were the most predominant serovars detected in man, dog, and rodents. Tentative serotyping of the isolates by MAT revealed its identity as Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona.
Conclusion: Detection of common serovars of Leptospira in man and animals by serology as well as isolation reiterates the major role played by animals in the epidemiology of human leptospirosis.

Keywords: canine, epidemiology, human, isolation, leptospirosis, microscopic agglutination test, rodent.

Monday 29 September 2014

Impact of applying hygienic practices at farm on bacteriological quality of raw milk

24. Impact of applying hygienic practices at farm on bacteriological quality of raw milk - N. Pandey, A. Kumari, A. K. Varma, S. Sahu and M. A. Akbar
Veterinary World, 7(9): 754-758


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.754-758


N. Pandey: Department of Livestock Production Management, Buffalo Research Centre, College of Veterinary Science, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hisar - 125 004, Haryana, India; siya97singh@gmail.com
A. Kumari: Department of Livestock Production Management, Buffalo Research Centre, College of Veterinary Science, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hisar - 125 004, Haryana, India; anujsrkumari@gmail.com
A. K. Varma: Department of Livestock Production Management, Buffalo Research Centre, College of Veterinary Science, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hisar - 125 004, Haryana, India; akvarma1954@gmail.com
S. Sahu: Department of Livestock Production Management, Buffalo Research Centre, College of Veterinary Science, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hisar - 125 004, Haryana, India; subhasishsahu72@gmail.com
M. A. Akbar: Department of Livestock Production Management, Buffalo Research Centre, College of Veterinary Science, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hisar - 125 004, Haryana, India; drma.akbar@gmail.com

Received: 11-06-2014, Revised: 13-08-2014, Accepted: 22-08-2014, Published Online: 30-09-2014

Corresponding author: S. Sahu, e-mail: subhasishsahu72@gmail.com


Aim: The present study was carried out to explore the potential source of contamination and the efficacy of different washing practices towards quality milk production.
Materials and Methods: Probable sources of contamination viz. stored water, potable water, milker’s hands, milking pail, udder of individual buffalo and milk cans were subjected to different types of bacterial counts before the actual experiment to start. Twenty milch buffaloes thereafter were divided randomly into four treatment groups where washing was performed in each step viz. milker hands, udder of individual buffalo, milking pail and milk cans before milking either with water (T0: stored water, T1: potable water) or sanitizers (T2: 200 ppm chlorine solution, T3: 50 ppm iodophore solution) for 60 days. Bacterial counts again were performed for last 5 alternate days for all the sources involved along with the microbial load of raw milk. Data obtained were subjected to standard statistical analysis.
Results: It was found that for all bacterial count stored water contributed significantly higher as compared to the potable water. Among the other potential sources of contamination (log/6 cm2), standard plate count (SPC) and coliform count were significantly highest for milking pail (6.73±0.02) and udder of milch buffaloes (3.77±0.12), respectively, while for Staphylococci count both milking pail (3.24±0.02) and milking can (3.22±0.04) were contributed maximally (p<0.05) than others. Washing with stored water contributed significantly (p<0.05) more microbial load from all possible sources of contamination and too reflected on milk quality (SPC: 7.87±0.04, coliform: 4.06±0.46 andStaphylococci: 3.41±0.01) than the other washing treatments, which are followed by washing with potable water. Both the sanitizers were significantly better than the washing with the water but remained statistically similar (p>0.05) for most of the parameters, even for the raw milk quality.
Conclusion: Study revealed that milker hands, milking pails, udder of animals, milk cans and stored water used for washing of equipment are the potential source of contamination in raw milk. These were counted as critical point which needs attention for the production of high-quality milk. Potable water was found to be better than stored water. The use of either chlorine 200 ppm and iodophor 50 ppm is highly effective in reducing the bacterial population for quality milk production.

Keywords: milk, sanitizer, source of contamination, washing, water.