Total plate count and Escherichia coli in raw buffalo milk in curio district enrekang regency

Curio is the central area for buffalo milk production in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Curio's farmers carried out the milking process manually, which enabled bacterial contamination to the milk. This study was aimed to identify the quality of buffalo milk in Curio by evaluating the total plate count and Escherichia coli count. Raw buffalo milk samples were collected from three farmers in Curio, separated as udder samples and farm samples. Total plate count was evaluated using Nutrient Agar media and total E. coli was evaluated using Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA) media. Isolated E. coli was further confirmed by Gram staining, IMViC test, TSIA Test, and Carbohydrate Fermentation Test. Results showed that 33.33% of udder milk samples met the requirements of Total Plate Count for SNI No. 01-3141-2011 of raw milk standard. Evaluation of total E. coli showed that 100% of milk samples exceeded the requirements of SNI No. 01-3141-2011. The Total Plate Count and E. coli in the farm samples were higher than the udder samples. The isolated E. coli were confirmed by Gram staining, IMViC test, TSIA Test, and Carbohydrate Fermentation Test.