title: Effect of farm characteristics and practices on hygienic quality of ovine raw milk used for artisan cheese production in central Italy.
abstract: A survey on ovine dairy farms directly transforming own-produced milk, in the Italian Marche region, was carried out to assess flock and milking practices that may influence milk hygienic-sanitary conditions. A census survey established that 24 dairy farms were located in this region. Bulk milk samples were collected throughout the milking period in each dairy farm in 2013. Analyzed variables were: (i) chemical parameters such as fat, protein and lactose content, dry matter and pH; and (ii) total bacterial (TBC) and somatic cell counts (SCC). Chemical parameter values were in agreement with published data while, geometric mean (GM) log10 SCC was 5.91 and TBC GM was 57 978 colony forming units/mL, in compliance with Eropean Union criteria. A positive correlation was found between SCC and TBC when GMs of all farm data were considered (Spearman's rho = 0.7925; P = 0.0001). Statistical analysis did not show significant correlation between SCC or TBC GM and dairy farm principal characteristics. Although SCC levels detected in the present study should suggest the need to implement mastitis control programs, Marche's dairy sheep flocks revealed a good hygienic condition level. This is an important aspect in implementing safety for end users of the final product.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Sez. Igiene, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Carloni
authors: Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Pesaro, Italy.
authors: Annalisa
authors: A
authors: Petruzzelli
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Sez. Igiene, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Amagliani
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Sez. Igiene, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Brandi
authors: ASSAM, Agenzia Servizi Settore Agroalimentare delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Caverni
authors: Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Pesaro, Italy.
authors: Piermario
authors: P
authors: Mangili
authors: Istituto Zooprofilattico dell'Umbria e delle Marche, Pesaro, Italy.
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Tonucci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002452:Cell Count; D002611:Cheese; D003612:Dairying; D000072480:Farms; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D063427:Food Quality; D059022:Food Safety; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007558:Italy; D007785:Lactose / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000592:standards; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012499:Sanitation; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D005223:Fats; D008894:Milk Proteins; D007785:Lactose
keywords: artisan cheese production; dairy farm characteristics; milk hygienic quality; ovine raw milk