Antimicrobial residue contaminants of raw milk delivered by small scale dairy farmers to the milk collection centres in Kumi municipality, Uganda.

Abstract

Milk is an important source of nutrients to human and animals, but due to its high water activity and nutritional value it serves as an excellent medium for-growth of much kind of microorganisms under suitable conditions. The present study involved cross sectional study to determine-antimicrobial residue levels. This study Was conducted to determine the presence of antibiotic, residues levels in Cattle milk sold in Kumi, as these residues may have a negative impact on human. 13 health milk samples were randomly collected from four collection centers.10 samples were collected from each collection centre then each sample was taken laboratory analysis of antibiotic residues. Laboratory assessment included; screening qualitative test on all these samples testing for the presence of residues of antibiotics by using the inhibitory activity and the micro-biological methods. Among the milk samples collected from collection centres, samples from one collection centre was found positive, while all sample of from other collection centres were negative hence 19.1% of milk collected was containing antimicrobial residues. Screening for residues at the milk collection centres is recommended and further investigation of the milk production practices among small-stale dairy farmers is required. This will provide a basis for designing appropriate and effective small scale milk production practices which will reduce milk contamination and help to protect the health of consumers in Kumi