BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDY ON OVINE RAW MILK IN BAQUBAH CITY

Abstract

This study aimed to detect the behavior of bacterial pathogens in raw apparently normal milk. For this purpose 85 milk samples were collected from 85 ewes in different areas in Baqubah city. Study was carried from the period 1/4/2017 to 15/8/2017. The results showed that only 73 samples showed growth of more than one species of bacteria, while 12 samples gave negative bacterial growth on different media. The isolated bacteria were identified by studying cultural properties on different media, Gram staining and biochemical tests. Bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli (64.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (45.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32.9%), Streptococcus spp. (24.7%), Klebsiella spp. (22.3%), Proteus mirabilis (18.8%), bacillus spp (11.7%), and serratia marcesences (2.3%). The S. aureua and E. coli were the most predominant bacterial isolates. The results of antibiotic sensitivity test showed variable results in different isolates (Ampicilin, tetracyclin, Amoxcilin, Gentamicin and Vancomycin).