Determinación de la calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica de la leche cruda entregada al Centro de Acopio de la Asociación ASOPROPEM, parroquia Sucre, cantón Patate

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in the Sucre parish, Patate canton of the province of Tungurahua, whose purpose was to determine the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the raw milk delivered to the ASOPROPEM collection center by the small producers of the Poatug hamlet, these parameters they were evaluated with the Ecuadorian technical regulations INEN 9:2012. 34 producers who deliver milk were analyzed with a collection of 68 samples in the first and second stages, obtaining a total of 136 samples. A sample was obtained from the tanks received by each producer to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics such as temperature, fat, protein, acidity and pH, while for the microbiological analysis the count of mesophilic aerobics was evaluated, obtaining a single total sample for each producer. To study the parameters, a descriptive analysis was applied with the Infostat program, giving as results in the physicochemical parameters that the raw milk received did not have an ideal temperature of 4°C - 8°C, while the fat, protein, pH and acidity comply with the provisions of the INEN 9:2012 standard. In the case of the microbiological analysis, an average of 239 926,47 CFU/cm3 of mesophilic aerobes was found, being within the permitted range, since the maximum established is 1,5 x106 CFU/cm3 . In addition, the data was subjected to a correlation analysis and significance (p˂0.05) was observed between fat and protein content. In the case of the surveys and check lists that were based on the documentation of AGROCALIDAD, it was evidenced with the results of these that there is compliance with good milking practices. According to the parameters framed by the Ecuadorian technical regulations, the results reported in the present investigation comply with the established ranges, except for the temperature of the raw material that is not cooled until reception at the plant, however there is a timely implementation of good milking practices carried out by small producers and the parameters studied are in accordance with the current INEN standard, indicating that raw milk has quality and is suitable for consumption by the population.