The objective of the study was to investigate the microbiological content of cow (Bos primigenius) milk in Latvian organic farms according to season and herd size with a purpose to detect their impact on the distribution of mastitis causing pathogens in milk. Samples were collected in 14 organic dairy farms of Latvia, 4 times through 2012: in winter, autumn, spring and summer period. Raw milk samples (n=564) obtained from cow composite milk were studied. The samples were divided into three groups in accordance with the number of cows in the cow-shed: A (3-30), B (31-60) and C (61-124). The total colony count (TTC) and the isolation of mastitis causing bacteria were analysed using standard methods. Bacterial growth occurred in 90.4% of samples. Isolated microorganisms belonged to 35 species, and the following bacteria were the most prevalent agent, including Coagulase negative staphylococci in 29.4%, Staphylococcus aureus in 24.1%, Kocuria kristinae in 12.9%, and Enterobacteriaceae spp. in 10.3% out of 564 milk samples. Depending on the season, the average number of TCC was the lowest in summer (4.66 ± 4.01 log10 CFU mLE-1), moderately higher in spring and winter (4.72 ± 4.18 and 4.82 ± 3.54 log10 CFU mLE-1, respectively), but significantly higher in autumn (5.43 ± 4.80 log10 CFU mL-E1). Coliforms were not isolated from group A herds instead of B (3.1%) and C (4.6%). Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus was noticeably higher in B (19.1%) and C (20.8%) than in A (12.6%) herds. Most of group A herds met the milk quality requirements, while group C herds produced more contaminated milk.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the microbiological content of cows’ milk in Latvia’s organic farms with a purpose to detect potential microbiological threats in milk. Samples were collected in December 2011 at 12 biological dairy farms of Latvia. Raw milk samples (N=155) obtained from cow composite milk were studied. The total mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (MAFAM), the presence of coliforms and coagulase-positive staphylococci, count of yeasts and moulds were analysed using standard methods. Of the sampled cows 50% had a low somatic cell count (SCC) (LESS THAN 200,000 cells mLE-1), 23% - high, but 27% had a very high SCC (greater than 500,000 cells mLE-1). The mean value of MAFAM in the samples with low, high and very high SCC was 4.7, 5.0 and 5.0 log10 colony forming units (cfu) mLE-1, respectively. The yeasts were present in 57% of milk samples with the mean concentration of 3.1 log10 cfu mLE-1. Moulds were found in 27% of all milk samples; their mean concentration was 4.4 log10 cfu mLE-1. Identified mould strains belonged to genera Absidia, Aspergillus, Geotrichum, Mucor and Penicillium. In cases of subclinical mastitis and latent mammary infection the most distributed mastitis pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus kristinae, Bacillus cereus and coagulase negative staphylococci.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics, herbals and buckwheat bran (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) on growth, profile of blood, gut microbiota, profile of fatty acid in meat and shedding of resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in piglets. A total of 44 piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) from age of day 14 to 56 were divided into 4 groups. Control received basal diet (group C), basal diet + probiotics (group P), basal diet + 3% buckwheat bran (group PB) and basal diet + 1.5% herbals (group H). No effect was observed in growth in all groups. The count of Lactobacillus spp. increased (p is less than 0.05) in jejunum in group P. In the faeces, Enterobacteriaceae decreased in the group P (p is less than 0.05) of 35 days old piglets, but Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli decreased in the group H (p is less than 0.05) of 56 days old piglets. The prevalence of resistance to at least one antibiotic class was 66.7% before and 50% after the experiment in all groups. Multidrug resistance of E. coli was not observed in 14 days old piglets, but was observed in 50% and more in all of study groups of 56 days old piglets. The fatty acid composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle had higher levels of α-linolenic acid and palmitoleic acid (p is less than 0.05), but lower level of stearic acid (p is less than 0.05) in group P. In conclusion, probiotics and herbals improved gut microbiota, fatty acid profile and affected shedding of resistant E. coli, but not growth performance.

The effect of some ingredients on stability of butter during its storage time has been investigated in order to better evaluate the functionality of confectionery. The research established that butter does not contain enough free fatty acids, derived as a result of hydrolysis, to decrease the number of mould and group of Enterobacteriaceae, but they hinder the growth of yeast and aerobic mesophilic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms. The quality of the products can be provided and propagation of microorganisms can be hindered by the comounds that are not traditional preservatives, such as vanilin and glucose syrop. A 10% glucose syrup additive worked as the facilitator of the development of microorganisms because it increased growth of aerobic mesophilic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, 50% of glucose syrup additive worked as the procrastinator of the development of microorganisms.