Publication Details
Abstract
Milk serves as a good nutrient medium for the growth of many types of microorganisms. Therefore, it can get dirty during milking, transport, and storage. The bad germs (pathogens) in milk and milk products which are most common and dangerous are Staphylococcus aureus since they make special poisons (enterotoxins) that hurt people when eaten. Aims: Detection of Staphylococcus aurous bacteria in milk sold in Iraqi markets for the purpose of quality and safety of canned milk. Methods: This work tries to find the Staphylococcus aureus germ from milk samples packaged milk sold in markets of Karbala, Diyala, Basra Wasit governorates between October 2021 and March 2022. Fifty samples were taken and put on a special plate called Mannitol Salt Agar then kept at 37°C for up to 48 hours. Bacteria grew only on six plates; one of them- number 21 had with 74 colonies the highest count. Results: The results indicate a reduction in the standards of hygiene during milking and handling operations, basically reflecting unhealthy practices. This serves to bring out an invisible challenge in our local markets; hence these findings are very relevant to public health decision-makers. It should strengthen their oversight of the milk production as well as distribution chains for consumer safety.