Somatic cell count, total bacterial count and acidity properties of milk in Khartoum State, Sudan

This work was conducted in Khartoum State to study the limits of the somatic cell count (SCC), the total bacteria count (TBC) and the acidity of the raw cow milk produced in the three geographical areas of the Khartoum State. A total of 644 stratified random raw milk samples were collected during summer and winter. The different counts and acidity were evaluated in the farm milk and compared to that sold in the market. Total bacterial count was carried out using the pour plate count. The bacterial count of equal or less than 9 × 104 cfu/ml in the state was 23.9% with a higher percentage in winter (35.4%) compared to 19.4% in summer. The majority of the samples (55.3%) had a count of less than or equal 9 × 105 cfu/ml. The percentage in winter was (71.9%) while in the summer it was (48.1%). Regarding the SCC, it was done using new man stain. The percentage of samples of less than 5 × 105 were (27%) in the state. The percentage was higher in winter (43.3%) than summer (20.8%).The majority of the samples (83.4%) were equal to or less than 7.5 × 105 (93.8%) were in winter and (81.5%) in summer. Regarding acidity which was carried out using the titration method, the percentage of samples of 0.2 titratable acidity were 64.3% in the state. The percentage in winter was 73.6% while in summer it was 60.7%. Statistically significant correlations at 0.01 levels between SCC, acidity and TBC were determined. The differences between the counts of SSC and TBC in winter and summer were statistically significant while the difference between the regions was insignificant.  Key words: Sudan, milk hygiene, somatic cell count (SCC), total bacteria count (TBC), acidity.