Open AccessCoagulase-negative staphylococci in ewe udder surface and raw milk samples
Author(s) -
Andualem Tonamo,
István Komlósi,
Flóra Mária Petróczki,
Ferenc Peles
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta agraria debreceniensis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2416-1640
DOI - 10.34101/actaagrar/1/8503
Subject(s) - udder , raw milk , flock , coagulase , veterinary medicine , mastitis , zoology , biology , sheep milk , somatic cell count , total viable count , food science , staphylococcus , microbiology and biotechnology , staphylococcus aureus , medicine , bacteria , lactation , ice calving , pregnancy , genetics
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are among the major causes of subclinical mastitis in dairy ewe flocks. This has a financially significant impact on the ewe dairy sector and consumer health. The determination of the bacterial count, particularly CNS, is critical in terms of the quantity and quality of ovine milk. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify the CNS count in the udder surface and raw milk samples of the ewe, in addition to identifying CNS strains (n=8) collected from udder surface and individual raw milk samples by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 164 samples of udder surface and raw milk originated from four sheep farms were tested. The obtained values were compared between the different farms. Furthermore, values during 2018 and 2019 in the case of Farm I were compared. Significantly higher (p 0.05) variation between farms. Coagulase-negative staphylococci counts were decreased to a certain extent in both sample types tested during 2019 except for individual raw milk derived from the Tsigai breed. The correlation between the mean CNS counts of udder surface and individual raw milk was very weak (r=0.048). Staphylococcus simulans, Staphylococcus auricularis, and Staphylococcus equorum were identified by molecular sequencing and Staphylococcus simulans were the most frequently identified CNS species. A higher CNS count of bulk tank milk than individual raw milk indicates possible contamination during milking and storage. Therefore, further studies are required to investigate the other sources of bulk tank milk contamination to improve the hygienic quality of milk.