Microbiological and Physicochemical Quality of Raw Milk Marketed in the City of Pala in Chad

Milk is a food with high nutritional value. Its importance results from its richness in water, proteins, lipids, minerals and vitamins. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of raw cow milk marketed in Pala, Chad. A total of thirty (30) samples were collected. The standard microbiology technique was used to enumerate and test for total aerobic mesophilic flora (TAMF), Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, yeasts and molds, and Salmonella spp. Dornic acidity content was also assessed. TAMF, E.coli, Staphylococcus, yeast & molds were dissatisfied with the quality in the proportions of 20%, 17%, 83.3% and 7% respectively. Salmonella was totally absent in all samples. The Dornic acidity was high in all samples with a value between 22 and 30°D. In view of these results, raw milk has an acceptable hygienic quality despite the low proportions of dissatisfaction with the quality observed. Efforts to raise awareness of hygiene measures must be made in the milk sector in order to restore its expected safe quality.