ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate somatic cell counts (SCC), composition and total bacterial counts (TBC) of milk from dairy farms in Miranda do Norte, Itapecurú-Mirim and Santa Rita, all located in Brazilian Maranhão state. In the A period, it were verified means of 2,236,700 somatic cells/mL; 3.87% fat; 3.19% protein; 4.36% lactose; 12.25% (TS); 8.55% non-fat solids (NFS) and 677.90 clonies forming unit (CFU)/mL. In the winter period means were 2,629,950 cells/mL; 3.87% fat; 3.27% protein; 4.45% lactose; 13.19% TS; 8.74% NFS and 8,421,35 CFU/mL. Regarding sazonality, both SCC and TBC means were higher during the period B than during the period A.
KEY WORDS
Milk quality; IN Nº 51; higyenic