Milk constituents and microbial analysis of mixed milk samples in rural areas.

The study found out the chemical and microbial quality of various milk samples collected from differentsources ofmilkprocuredfromruralareas ofTirupati.Thefat, SNFandproteinpercentages of milk samples collected from Dairy Experimental Station were higher than the other milk samples collected from commercial dairies ofSangam, Balaji and Heritage and local vendors. The milk samples collected from local vendors showed lower fat, SNF and protein percentages. No significant difference was observed in the milk samples collected from commercial dairies of Sangam, Balaji and Heritage with regard to fat, SNF and protein percentages. None ofthe milk samples collected from Dairy Experimental Station were found to be adulterated with water, whereas higher percentage of water was observed in the milk samples of local vendors. The Standard Plate Count of milk from local vendors is higher followed by Dairy Experimental Station. Presence of E.coli organisms in the milk samples collected from local vendors and Dairy Experimental Station indicated the extraneous contamination and unhygienic conditions of milking barn.