Analysis of bovine milk composition and quality in the microregion of fernandópolis, São Paulo

Dairy cattle farming is one of the major sectors of Brazilian agribusiness. In the current scenario, consumers are increasingly demanding and seek products that not only have a pleasant taste but are also nutritious and safe. Special attention should be paid to dairy products in terms of food safety, as milk and its derivatives are part of the usual diet of many individuals due to its high nutritional value. Objective: Thus developed to examine the composition and quality of bovine milk from rural producers in the microregion of Fernandópolis, São Paulo. Methods: The study was conducted by analyzing data from the years 2019 and 2020, provided by a dairy industry, on the levels of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solids-not-fat; somatic cell count (SCC); and total bacterial count (TBC). Meteorological data of the region, such as precipitation and temperature, were investigated. Results: The highest average milk yield occurred in the months of November, December and January. With the exception of TBC, all analyzed parameters were within the standards established by the current legislation. April, May, June and July stood out with the highest levels of fat, protein, solids-not-fat and total solids in milk. Conclusions: The results of milk composition analysis showed that production from the Fernandópolis microregion is nutritionally adequate, since all obtained values were within the standards of current legislation. However, the microbiological standards (TBC) demonstrate low hygienic quality of the product, suggesting a need to implement effective actions that improve decision-making aiming at a more efficient and qualified production.