Qualidade da água utilizada na limpeza dos tanques de granelização de leite cru: implantação e avaliação da cloração da água para garantia da qualidade do produto

Abstract

The water is the resource most important and indispensable to the maintenance of life in the Earth and it is not different in the farms, once it is a drink for the animals. Its use is also important in activities related to milking. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chlorination of the water used in 18 properties located in the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais in the values of somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC) of raw milk. We evaluated the quality of water used in the cleaning of the raw milk tanks and it was implemented in the field the water chlorination systems to verify its influence on the quality of the stored product. Samples for analysis were collected from hoses used for washing of the individual and collective storage tanks. In addition, milk samples were collected for analysis. Samples of water and milk were transported in coolers to the laboratory of IFET-RP and Milk Quality Laboratory (LQL) Embrapa, respectively. The results showed that all samples were in disagreement With the parameters established by Brazilian law, in both cases of physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. Chlorination of water had little influence on the physico-chemical parameters. Chlorinated samples showed positive results on reducing the MPN of total and thermotolerants coliforms, however it was not significant (p>0.05) in the number of heterotrophic bacteria. Milk composition was not altered by water chlorination. There was not significant reduction (p>0.05) in scores of CCS and CBT during the chlorination of water. Therefore, we concluded that the water used in cleaning legislation of bulk tank of raw milk did not present good quality and conformity with the legislation. Moreover, the water presented little or no influence on the quality of refrigerated raw milk.