ANALYSIS OF MICROBIAL QUALITY AND CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY TEST OF TRADITIONAL BUTTER PRODUCED IN WACHALE DISTRICT, NORTH SHOA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract:

The study was conducted in Wachale district, North Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State with the objectives of assessing microbial quality and consumer acceptability of traditional butter produced in the district. A total of 180 households, 30 farmers from each six kebeles were randomly selected. A total of 34 butter samples were collected and analyzed at Holeta Dairy Technology Laboratory; that 30 samples were from open market, 4 samples from cooperative and prototype sample (laboratory made sample). Consumer acceptability test was conducted by twenty adults who are accustomed to butter consumption. The results from study area revealed that majority (53.3%) of the respondents were illiterate. Of the study area 76.7% of the farmers dip their fingers into the milk during milking. The aerobic mesophilic bacteria count (AMBC) was significantly (P