Contagem bacteriana total do leite: relação com a composição centesimal e período do ano no Estado de Goiás

Abstract

Milk quality is a crescent concern in Brazil and the Goiás State does not have any current studies on this subject, although it is among the major producers in the country. The aim of this survey was to verify the relationship between total bacterial count (TBCC) and milk composition (fat, protein, lactose and total solids content) and the influence of year period in TBC in Goiás State, Brazil. Data were obtained from October 2002, to September 2003 in the Laboratory of Milk Quality of the Center of Food Research in the Veterinary School of the Federal University of Goiás. TBC was analyzed through flow citometry and milk composition by infrared differential absorption. The year period was divided in two seasons: a rainy season, from November to April, and a dry season, from May to October. Only lactose content decreased as TBC elevated. The environmental humidity and rainfall showed positive and significant correlation to log of TBC, and the highest averages of TBC occurred in the rainy season.