Characterization of the compositional, hygienic, and sanitary quality of bovine milk from three regions of Ecuador (Phase 2)

This project addressed the lack of updated information regarding raw milk quality in Ecuador, a sector critical to rural economy and food security. Given the prevalence of traditional practices and the incidence of bovine mastitis, the research team conducted an exhaustive sampling across ten provinces, covering the Sierra, Coast, and Amazon regions. The methodological approach integrated advanced laboratory analyses, including infrared spectrophotometry for compositional quality and flow cytometry for total bacterial and somatic cell counts. Additionally, etiological agents causing mastitis were identified, providing essential technical data for sanitary control. The results allowed for the establishment of reference ranges for the Milk Quality Laboratory at the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana and generated key information for the development of public policies and management strategies in production units. The project had a significant academic impact, facilitating student graduation and the publication of scientific articles, while directly benefiting small and medium-scale producers by optimizing their production systems.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Evaluate the compositional, hygienic, and sanitary quality of bovine milk across the three regions of Ecuador (Coast, Sierra, and Amazon) during the 2023 rainy season. The goal is to update outdated data to improve decision-making within the dairy value chain.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>animal biotechnology