The effect of the lactoperoxidase (LP) system on the growth and survival of
Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus,
Listeria monocytogenes and
Brucella melitensis was determined in goat milk samples ...kept at 30 °C for 6 h. The LP system exhibited a bactericidal effect against
L. monocytogenes and
Br. melitensis both in Saanen and Indigenous goat milks. The LP system was bactericidal against
S. aureus in Saanen goat milk and bacteriostatic against
S. aureus in Indigenous goat milk. However, the LP system was bacteriostatic against
E. coli both in Saanen and Indigenous goat milks. The results of this study suggest the potential of the LP system to control the growth of food-borne pathogens in goat milk.
Gouda cheese was made from goats’ milk preserved by the lactoperoxidase (LP) system and the effect of the LP system on the biochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of cheese over a ...ripening period of 90 days was investigated. Cheese made from LP-activated goats’ milk had a significantly (
p<0.05) lower coliform and coagulase-positive staphylococci as compared to cheese made from the untreated control goats’ milk. The LP treatment did not affect the overall chemical composition of the cheese. The level of proteolysis in both the control and the LP-treated goats’ milk cheeses was comparable. However, the level of lipolysis in cheese made from LP-activated goats’ milk was significantly (
p<0.05) lower than that made from the control goats’ milk, at the end of the ripening period. The lower lipolytic activity in cheese made from LP-activated goats’ milk might be of importance in reducing the strong flavour associated with goats’ milk cheeses. Significant differences (
p<0.05) in all sensory attributes were observed between cheeses made from the untreated control and LP-activated goats’ milk. Gouda cheese made from LP-activated goats’ milk had a milder flavour than the control. Thus, it can be concluded that preservation of goats’ cheese milk by the LP system can be used to improve the microbiological quality and flavour of Gouda cheese without any detrimental effect on the gross chemical composition of the cheese.
This study was conducted to assess honeybee production practices in Sekota district, northern Ethiopia. The district comprises a total of 33 kebeles (peasant associations at the lowest admistrative ...level) which were classified into three highland (1800-2200 m.a.s.l.), 24 midland (1500-1800 m.a.s.l.) and six lowland (<1500 m.a.s.l.) areas. From these, two, four and three kebeles were randomly selected from the highland, midland and lowland areas, respectively. A total of 90 beekeeping households were selected purposively: ten from each kebele based on their experience in keeping honeybees and involvement in extension activities. Primary data were collected through household interviews and key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on household profiles, number and types of hives used, type of beekeeping equipment used, honeybee floras, honey flow season, honey yield and price of honey. The quantitative data generated were analyzed using the SPSS software and qualitative data obtained were summarized in the form of tables. Results indicated that there were three types of honeybee production methods which are traditional, transitional and modern production and the beehives were exclusively kept in backyards in all production methods. Although, Zander modern hives were recently introduced in the area, modern beekeeping method attracted the attention of most beekeepers. As a result many farmers were shifting to box hive beekeeping activity. The price of honey increased from 2.3 and 3.1 to 3.9 and 5.2 US$/kg for crude red honey and pure white honey, respectively over the four-year period ( 2011-2014). The most important sources of honeybee forage (in terms of preference by honeybees and abundance) were: Becium grandiflorum, Euclea shimperi, Sorghum bicolor, and Echinops spp. Others were Acacia tortolis, Acacia seyal, Acacia asak, Terminalia glaucescens, Hypoestes trifolia, Ocimum bacilicum, Aloe spp., Bidens spp., Euphorbia spp. and Vicia faba. It was further revealed that majority of the important honeybee floras in the area flower between August and September. Ocimum bacilicum was the dominant swarm attractant plant used while dried cattle dung was the most used smoking material in all the agro-ecologies. Returning the swarm back to colony as a method of controlling swarming was rarely practiced since the honeybee colonies were very important income sources for the household economy as the colonies can be sold at satisfactory price (up to 400 Ethiopian Birr/colony). For sustainable apicultural development in the area, provision of training to beekeepers on colony management and establishing market linkages of producers with processors and exporters is important. Moreover, research on the effects of materials used as smoker fuels (materials used for smoking during hive inspection) and swarm attractants on the quality of honey is required.
The study was aimed at mapping the dairy value chain, assessing constraints and opportunities in the sector, and identifying factors affecting channel choices of producers in Harar and Dire Dawa ...milkshed areas. Data were collected from 93 producers, six collectors, seven wholesalers, seven retailers, and ten consumers. Both descriptive and econometric analysis were employed. The study revealed that the channel choices available to producers include selling to collectors, wholesalers, retailers, and directly to consumers. The multinomial model output indicated that being in rural areas, breed type, separate milking place, and supply of hay negatively determined the choice to sell to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. In contrast, education status and milk storage duration positively determined producers’ choice not to sell to collectors. The major recommendations include provision of training, disseminating dairy technologies, encouraging value chain actors to add values; and enhancing collective actions of producers.
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