Abstract
Milk is considered as one of the finest natural foods containing all the essential nutrients such as lactose, fat, protein, minerals and vitamins in balanced ratio rather than the other foods. The present study was aimed to compare the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of cow, camel and goat milk farmed in Khartoum states. Milk samples were collected from the villages of Khartoum, Sudan and analyzed for nutritional and mineral variations. Our proximate analysis showed that, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in total solid content, moisture and fat content of cow, camel and goat milk. however, we found significant differences (p > 0.05) in cow, camel and goat milk for protein content, ash content, total acidity content and pH. In addition to that, mineral analysis of entire samples revealed that level of potassium was highest followed by calcium and phosphorus. However, level of magnesium and zinc was found to be lowest in concentration. Microbiological investigation showed that, total viable count in cow, camel and goat was 3.5 x 10(3), 7.5 x 10(3) and 4.5 x 10(3), respectively. Moreover, total coliform count was found to be 9, 7 and 6 in cow, camel and goat respectively count indicates possible poor hygienic practices at farm level. In addition to that, Yeast and Mold, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella was not detected in the samples. This work provides updated information on the current physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of cow, camel and goat milk collected from the farms of Khartoum, Sudan. This can be of great importance in the fields of dairy, food technology and food analysis.