Preparation and Quality Evaluation of Raw Milk and Yoghurt Sourced from Machine Milked Jersey Cows

In this study, there was preparation of yoghurt from the raw milk of machine milked Jersey cows. Physicochemical parameters, mineral composition, microbiological qualities and sensory evaluation of raw cow milk and yoghurt samples were examined. Correlations between the proximate parameters versus sensory perception attributes of yoghurt were analysed. The results showed that the pH, titrable acidity, moisture and ether extract contents were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the raw cow milk than in the yoghurt. However, the values recorded for specific gravity, viscosity, protein, ash, carbohydrates and mineral contents were higher (P<0.05) in the yoghurt than in the raw cow milk. The total viable bacterial counts were 8.2 x 102 cfu/ml for raw cow milk and 3.7 x 103 cfu/ml for yoghurt; total fungal counts were 3.1 x 102 cfu/ml for raw cow milk and 9.6 x 102 cfu/ml for yoghurt; while coliform was absent in both samples. The sensory attribute scores for the yoghurt samples were all very high and ranged between 7.17 and 8.17 on a nine point hedonic scale. There were significant (P<0.01) but negative correlations between moisture content versus taste, aroma and texture of yoghurt (r = - 0.7.28, - 0.541 and – 0.971 respectively). There were also, strong positive correlations between fat content versus aroma and texture (r = 0.574, 0.500 respectively). Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that the raw milk and yoghurt sourced from machine milked Jersey cows were of good physicochemical, microbiological and sensory qualities and these could serve as prove that good hygienic practices were observed on the dairy farm. Also, the yoghurt was found to be more acidic, had higher specific gravity and viscosity, was higher in most of the nutrients such as protein, ash, carbohydrates and the minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and iron) than the raw cow milk from which it was prepared. Keywords: Jersey cows, raw milk, yoghurt, qualit

Milk Yield (Offtake), Composition and Microbiological Quality in West African Dwarf Goats Fed Concentrate Diets with Varying Levels of Moringa oleifera Leafmeal and Seedmeal

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding varying inclusion levels of Moringa oleifera leafmeal (MOL) and defatted Moringa oleifera seedmeal (DMOS), on milk yield (offtake), milk proximate composition and milk microbilolgical quality of sixteen lactating West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. The completely randomized design with four dietary treatments and three does per treatment was used. Average milk yield ranged from 116.00 g/day to 186.00 g/day (early lactation), 78.00 to 170 g/day (mid lactation) and 32.00 to 184.00 g/day (late lactation). Highest mean milk yield was 174.00 g/day for diet T3 (0.30% (MOL) and 0% (DMOS)). Ranges of the milk proximate composition were: 13.50 to 17.22% (total solids), 3.60 to 6.05% (fat), 3.17 to 5.45% (protein), 9.88 to 11.17% (solids-not-fat), 0.73 to 0.82% (ash) and 4.93 to 6.36% (lactose). There exist significant (P<0.01), but negative correlations between milk yield versus fat and protein (r = - 0.691, - 0.643 respectively). Total viable bacterial counts ranged from 1.9 x 106 to 8.6 x 108 cfu/ml. Total coliform counts ranged between 3.7 x 106 and 3.3 x 109 cfu/ml. Total fungal counts ranged from 3.1 x 103 to 3.4 x 105 cfu/ml. This experiment revealed that the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leafmeal and seedmeal in the concentrate diets of lactating WAD goats resulted in highest mean milk yield (offtake) at the 0.30% (MOL) and 0% (DMOS) dietary level. The raw milk was of poor microbiological quality (>5.0 x 106). Keywords: Milk yield (offtake), quality, goat

Malaria knowledge and agricultural practices that promote mosquito breeding in two rural farming communities in Oyo State, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Agricultural practices such as the use of irrigation during rice cultivation, the use of ponds for fish farming and the storage of water in tanks for livestock provide suitable breeding grounds for anthropophylic mosquitoes. The most common anthropophylic mosquito in Nigeria which causes much of the morbidity and mortality associated with malaria is the anopheles mosquito. Farmers are therefore at high risk of malaria - a disease which seriously impacts on agricultural productivity. Unfortunately information relating to agricultural practices and farmers' behavioural antecedent factors that could assist malaria programmers plan and implement interventions to reduce risk of infections among farmers is scanty. Farmers' knowledge about malaria and agricultural practices which favour the breeding of mosquitoes in Fashola and Soku, two rural farming communities in Oyo State were therefore assessed in two rural farming communities in Oyo State.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This descriptive cross-sectional study involved the collection of data through the use of eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and the interview of 403 randomly selected farmers using semi-structured questionnaires. These sets of information were supplemented with observations of agricultural practices made in 40 randomly selected farms. The FGD data were recorded on audio-tapes, transcribed and subjected to content analysis while the quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most respondents in the two communities had low level of knowledge of malaria causation as only 12.4% stated that mosquito bite could transmit the disease. Less than half (46.7%) correctly mentioned the signs and symptoms of malaria as high body temperature, body pains, headache, body weakness and cold/fever. The reported main methods for preventing mosquito bites in the farming communities included removal of heaps of cassava tuber peelings (62.3%), bush burning/clearing (54.6%) and clearing of ditches (33.7%). The dumping of cassava tuber peelings which allows the collection of pools of water in the farms storage of peeled cassava tubers soaked in water in uncovered plastic containers, digging of trenches, irrigation of farms and the presence of fish ponds were the observed major agricultural practices that favoured mosquito breeding on the farms. A significant association was observed between respondents' knowledge about malaria and agricultural practices which promote mosquito breeding. Respondents' wealth quintile level was also seen to be associated with respondents' knowledge about malaria and agricultural practices which promote mosquito breeding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Farmers' knowledge of malaria causation and signs and symptoms was low, while agricultural practices which favour mosquito breeding in the farming communities were common. There is an urgent need to engage farmers in meaningful dialogue on malaria reduction initiatives including the modification of agricultural practices which favour mosquito breeding. Multiple intervention strategies are needed to tackle the factors related to malaria prevalence and mosquito abundance in the communities.</p