SOMATIC CELL COUNTS, COMPOSITION AND TOTAL BACTERIAL COUNTS OF MILK FROM DAIRY FARMS IN THE CITIES OF MIRANDA DO NORTE, ITAPECURÚ-MIRIM AND SANTA RITA, MARANHÃO STATE, BRAZIL

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.