Veterinary Medicine and Public Health Journal (VMPH)

Volume.2, Issue.3, pp: 64-72 Article 1

Sept (2021)

Occurrence of adulterants and preservatives in the

Milk Sold in Rural areas of Omdurman, Sudan

Asged, A. A. Mohammed, I. E. M. El Zubeir

Department of Dairy Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Khartoum
North, Sudan
[email protected], [email protected]

Received: 13/4/2021 Revised: 2/9/2021 Accepted: 29/9/2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31559/VMPH2021.2.3.1

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VMPH 2(3); 2021: 64-72
Research Article

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Occurrence of adulterants and preservatives in the Milk Sold in Rural areas of

Omdurman, Sudan
Asged, A. A. Mohammeda, I. E. M. El Zubeir*a
a
Department of Dairy Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan
*
Corresponding author: I. E. M. El Zubeir. Email: [email protected], [email protected]
How to cite this article: Mohammed, A.A.A., I. E. M. El Zubeir, Occurrence of adulterants and preservatives in the Milk
Sold in Rural areas of Omdurman, Sudan. Veterinary Medicine and Public Health Journal 2(3); 2021: 64-72.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31559/vmph2021.2.3.1 Received Date: 13/4/2021 Revised Date: 2/9/2021 Accepted Date: 29/9/2021

Abstract
In the present investigation, the chemical composition of milk was determined and the detection of the presence of some
additives and preservatives in raw cow milk obtained from rural area of Omdurman city Sudan was done. The milk
samples (n= 120) were obtained from rural areas of North and South Omdurman. Significantly, (P≤0.05) higher values
for the chemical constituents of the examined raw milk samples were reported in the samples from South Omdurman
compared to those from North Omdurman. In addition, the results showed that the added water was found in 16.7% of the
examined milk samples. Also, formaldehyde was used as a preservative in 19.2% of the samples, while boric acid was used
as preservative in 25% of the milk samples in South Omdurman. However, sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide and
starch were not detected. It was concluded that milk distributed in North and South Omdurman contains some
adulterants. Hence control and monitoring programs should be directed towards the hygienic quality of milk during
production and marketing.
Keywords: Milk adulteration; chemical composition; additives; preservatives.
Mohammed & El Zubeir, VMPH 2(3);2021: 64-72 65

1. Introduction
2016) are of a high priority. The aim of this study
Milk is a complete diet due to its carbohydrates,
was determining the compositional content of milk
protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and other
that is offered for sale in the rural areas of
miscellaneous constituents that dispersed in water
Omdurman city. It is also meant to investigate the
in a complex mixture (Haug et al. 2007). Milk is
presence of some contaminants (additives and
likely to be subjected to spoiling during the hot
preservatives) commonly used in the study area.
season due to its perishable e content (Tipu et al.
2007).
Milk adulteration was defined by FDA (2009) 2. Materials and Methods
as “the fraudulent, intentional substitution or The area of study:
addition of a substance in a product for the purpose
of increasing the apparent value of the product or Two rural areas at Omdurman (North and
reducing the cost of its production”. Currently fraud South), Khartoum State, Sudan were selected for the
is of potential food safety and public health concern collection of milk samples. This study was started on
(Spink and Moyer 2011; Singh and Gandhi 2015; 19 December 2016 and ended on 31 January 2017.
Chauhan et al. 2019; Lahankar et al. 2019). Sources of milk samples:
Worldwide milk was among the main defrauded
foods during 1980 to 2010 (Moore et al. 2012). The raw milk samples used in this study were
Some middle men are found to adulterate the milk in collected from local vendors in North and South
traditional milk distribution system in order to rural areas of Omdurman city, which are distributed
increase the profit where a gap between the widely in the state. About 120 milk samples were
demands and supply exist (Lateef et al. 2009). collected, 60 milk samples were transported by cars
Adulteration of milk with the addition of and 60 milk samples were transported by donkeys.
variable amount of water, the simplest and oldest The samples were collected into cleaned and
forms of milk fraud, will artificially increase its sanitized vials. Some of the samples were collected
volume and substantially reduced its nutritional in the morning and the others were collected during
value. Moreover, a human health risk can occur due the evening. All the samples were transported in
to the potential water borne diseases (Kandpal et al. containers containing ice to the dairy chemistry
2012). Starch, cereal flours or arrowroot are added laboratory of the Faculty of Animal Production,
to make up the density of milk to prevent detection University of Khartoum, for analysis. The analysis
of added water (Jivraj and Astha 2015). included the chemical composition of the milk
Under tropical and subtropical conditions of samples and detection for the presence of some
the developing countries; where refrigeration is not additives and preservative substances (water,
practical; addition of chemical preservatives starch, hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, formaldehyde,
including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or alkaline and sodium bicarbonate). All the tests were
solutions for activation of natural antibacterial examined at room temperature.
enzymes are common practices (Ozer et al. 2000). Analysis of milk composition:
The formalin, which is carcinogenic, is used for
preservation and increasing the shelf life of milk The solids not fat, fat, protein, and lactose were
although it decreases its nutritive value (Bhatti the major chemical component examined in the milk
2010). samples using Lactoscan milk analyzer (Milkotronic
Chemical additives such as sodium carbonate LTD, Bulgaria). The total solids contents were
and bicarbonate were added as neutralizers for obtained by the sum of the solids not fat and fat. The
preservation of milk for longer time and to prevent gravimetric method using muffle furnace was
its curdling (Ahmad et al. 2015). FAO/WHO expert followed for measuring the ash content (AOAC,
committee declared that boric acid is unsafe and 2003).
should not be added to the food due to its Tests for detection of additives and chemical
cumulative toxicity effect (Yiu et al. 2008). preservatives, neutralizers:
Little effort was done to evaluate and monitor
the quality of the market milk, especially in Africa Added water was detected using milk Lactoscan
(El Zubeir et al. 2008). Moreover, most of raw milk is analyzer (Milkotronic LTD, Bulgaria). Detection of
sold raw without any heat treatment to the starch was done using the method described by
consumers in Sudan (Elmagli and El Zubeir 2006b; Kumar et al. (1998). Detection for the occurrence of
Salman and Hamad 2011). According to the previous formaldehyde, sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen
reports, the distribution and transportation of milk peroxide and boric acid were obtained following the
in Sudan are traditional and primitive, which help in methods describe by Singh et al. (2012); Kamthania
increasing the growth and multiplication of bacteria et al (2014).
(Elmagli and El Zubeir 2006a; Mohamed and El Statistical analysis:
Zubeir 2007a; El Zubeir and El Owni 2009; Salman
and Hamad, 2011; Warsama et al. 2017). Hence The generated data about the milk composition
proper quality control measures (Mohamed and El were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 packages
Zubeir (2007a) and risk assessment (Addoma et al. (2002). Two-way ANOVA was performed using the
Mohammed & El Zubeir, VMPH 2(3);2021: 64-72 66

complete randomize design. When significant 3. Results and discussion

treatment effects were noted, the least significant
difference at P≤0.05 was used to separate the means Compositional content of milk samples:
between the treatments. However, frequencies and Significant (P≤0.05) differences were
percentage were preformed to evaluate the estimated for the values of fat for the milk samples
adulteration of milk by venders and regions. collected from rural areas at South and North
Omdurman city (Table 1).

Table (1): Comparative analysis of compositional content of raw milk sampled from Omdurman transported by cars and
donkeys
Parameters (%) Regions Cars Donkeys Maximum Minimum

Fat South - 5.14±0.62 5.46±0.83

Omdurman 8.35% 3.41%
North - 4.97±0.8 5.15±0.42
Omdurman
Protein South - 3.53±0.26 3.64±0.38
Omdurman 5.29% 2.67%
North - 3.48±0.3 3.45±0.18
Omdurman
Lactose South - 4.77±0.31 4.93±0.52
Omdurman 7.09% 3.07%
North - 4.68±0.46 4.67±0.25
Omdurman
Total solids South - 14.1±1.1 14.79±0.8
Omdurman 15.2% 8.2%
North - 13.6±1.4 13.9±0.8
Omdurman
Ash South - 0.67±0.075 0.66±0.063
Omdurman 0.79% 0.28%
North - 0.63±0.1 0.68±0.06
Omdurman

Table (2): The average compositional content of milk collected from North and South of Omdurman
Regions South North Total SE LS
Omdurman Omdurman
Fat (%) 5.3±0.75 4.79±0.66 5.14±0.72 0.063 **
Protein (%) 3.59± 0.33 3.47±0.25 3.53±0.30 0.027 *

Lactose (%) 4.85±0.43 4.69±0.36 4.76±0.4 0.037 *

Total solids (%) 14.4±1.4 13.75±1.2 14.1±1.3 0.116 **

Ash (%) 0.67±0.07 0.66± 0.09 0.66±0.79 0.07 NS

S E= Stander Error for mean

L S= level of significant
NS= No significant
*= P≤0.05
**= P≤ 0.01
However, among the vender's milk samples, the
Moreover, the average of fat level (Table 2) in
fat content of milk transported by cars
the milk from South Omdurman was significantly
(4.97±0.74%) was lower compared to milk samples
(P≤0.05) higher than the milk collected from
obtained from vendors using donkeys (5.3±0.68%).
Northern Omdurman (5.3±0.75% and 4.79±0.66%,
The differences among them showed significant
respectively).
differences (Table 3).

Table (3): Variation of the chemical composition of milk between different vendors in North and South Omdurman

Venders Cars Donkeys Total SE LS

Fat (%) 4.97±0.74 5.3±0.68 5.14±0.72 0.063 **

Protein (%) 3.51± 0.28 3.55±0.31 3.52±0.29 0.027 NS

Lactose (%) 4.73±0.39 4.8±0.42 4.76±0.4 0.037 NS

Total solids (%) 13.85±1.3 14.35±1.32 14.1±1.3 0.116 *

Ash (%) 0.67±0.091 0.68±0.061 0.66±.079 0.07 NS

SE= Stander Error for mean

SL= level of significant
NS= No significant
*= P≤0.05
**= P≤ 0.01
Mohammed & El Zubeir, VMPH 2(3);2021: 64-72 67

Similarly, Elsheikh et al. (2015) reported higher higher values compared to that collected from North
(5.08±0.64%) fat content in milk transported by Omdurman (4.69±0.36%) as shown in Table 1 and
pick-up trucks compared to milk from venders on 2. However Bashir and El Zubeir (2013) found the
donkey carts (4.74±0.66%). This might be because average of lactose in milk from Baggara cattle in
the venders using cars and trucks brought the milk Western Sudan was 4.89±0.33%. The content of
from far away in addition to the fact that most of milk lactose obtained from venders using cars
them are middlemen while those using donkeys cart (4.73±0.39%) revealed lower (P≥0.05) value
transport the milk from nearby farms directly to the compared to that distributed by venders using the
consumers. Relatively higher values were obtained donkeys (4.8±0.42%) as shown in Table 3. The
in the present results (Table 1 and 2) compared to value of milk lactose content of whole milk from
Mohamed and El Zubeir (2007b), they found bovine is highly consistent; it varies from 4.5% to
3.75±1.07 and 3.46±1.17% for the means of fat 5.1% (Shuiep et al. 2016; Warsama et al. 2017).
content of milk sold in Omdurman and Khartoum However higher level was found by Elsheikh et al.
North, respectively. However, Ahmed and El Zubier (2015) for the lactose of milk sampled from pick-up
(2007) reported that cow milk fat in samples trucks (4.88±0.23%) in comparison to venders
collected from farms in Khartoum, Sudan revealed transporting their milk via donkeys (4.77±0.27%).
4.54±0.54%. In Iran, Mirzadeh et al. (2010) found Moreover, the milk sampled from the farms revealed
that fat content was 3.90±0.97% and in India, the higher lactose content (4.35±0.08%) compared to
average milk fat content was 3.8% (Eckles and those collected from vendors (3.91±0.19%) as was
Combs 2004). Variation was reported in the fat reported by Javaid et al. (2009). Lactose has an
content of cows’ milk (3.5%-5.5% in Sudan important relation to the manufacture of the milk
(Warsama et al. 2017). Also, Eckles and Combs products, due to the fact that it is easily decomposed
(2004) concluded that the fat content is the most by bacteria (Eckles and Combs 2004).
valuable constituent of milk and is considered as the The means of total solids content (Table 1) of
food value of the milk. However, Shuiep et al. (2016) milk samples collected from South and North
indicated that the local Sudanese cows are capable of Omdurman showed significant (P≤0.05) differences.
producing significantly (P≤0.05) higher milk fat The average total solids content (Table 2) of
throughout their lactations. milk samples collected from South Omdurman
The data in Table 1 showed the average protein (14.4%±1.4%) was significantly (P≤0.05) higher
content of milk samples collected from South and than that collected from North Omdurman
North Omdurman. The values in protein percentages (13.75±1.2%). Lower values were found by Bille et
were significantly (P≤0.05) different. The average al. (2009) who found that the range of total solids
protein content (Table 2) of milk samples collected was 10.64% to 13.41% and Gemechu et al. (2015)
from South Omdurman (3.59±0.33%) was found the total solids was 12.87%. However
significantly (P≤0.05) higher than that collected Mansour et al. (2012) found that the cow’s milk
from North Omdurman (3.47±0.25%). Higher sampled from the dairy farms contained 12.4% total
values were found previously by Ahmed and El solids. Nateghi et al. (2014) found that the total
Zubeir (2007) who reported that the average solids of milk in summer (13.31%) was significantly
protein content was 3.73±0.58%. Also, Landi et al. higher than winter milk (12.02%). The variations
(2011) indicated that the protein of cow milk was could be due to many factors including geographical
3.75±0.06%. However lower values were reported location, climate conditions, breed and types of feed.
previously in Khartoum North and Omdurman The mean of total solids content of milk
(3.08±0.59% and 2.93±0.47%, respectively) by transported by cars (13.85%±1.3%) was
Mohamed and El Zubeir (2007b). Mirzadeh et al. significantly (P≤0.05) lower compared to that
(2010) found the protein content of cow milk was obtained from the donkeys (14.35%±1.32%) as
2.94±0.46 and Bille et al. (2009) reported a value of illustrated in Table 3. The mean value recorded by
3.01±0.53%. Elsheikh et al. (2015) was 14.04±0.87% for the
The protein content of milk samples samples of milk transported by pick-up trucks, The
transported by cars (3.51±0.28%) was low high total solids content (15.2%) was found in the
compared to the milk samples transported by the milk samples from rural area of Northern
donkeys (3.55±0.31%). The data in Table 3 revealed Omdurman transported by donkeys while low total
non-significant (P≥0.05) variations. Similarly, solids content of milk (8.2%) was noted for the
Elsheikh et al. (2015) reported that the protein samples of milk sold by venders transporting their
content of milk obtained from pick-up trucks and milk by cars in Southern Omdurman (Table 1).
venders on donkey carts was 3.59±0.19% and The variations of the ash percentages were not
3.51±0.24%, respectively. Also, the result in this significant (P≥0.05) in the milk samples collected
study was supporting Negash (2012) as he obtained from both Southern (0.67%±0.07%) and Northern
3.46±0.04% for protein content in milk sampled in Omdurman (0.66%± 0.09) as presented in Table 1
Ethiopia. and 2. Similarly the ash content of the milk obtained
The difference in the lactose means of the milk from cars (0.67%±0.091%) compared to that of
samples collected from South Omdurman obtained from the donkeys (0.68%±0.061%) were
(4.69±0.36%) revealed significantly (P≤0.05) insignificant (P≥0.05) (Table 3). However, the ash
Mohammed & El Zubeir, VMPH 2(3);2021: 64-72 68

content differed significantly (P<0.05) from the milk

samples from the cross-breed (0.97%) and other However, Bashir and El Zubeir (2013)
local or exotic breeds investigated in Nigeria attributed the variations in compositional content to
(Dandare et al. 2014). the genetic variations of the animals and plane of
The result found for milk samples transported cows’ nutrition and their yield. Also, Dandare et al.
by donkeys (0.68±0.061%) was higher than that (2014) pointed out that comparison of the
0.57% found by Mustafa et al. (1991). The high ash proximate analysis of milk samples from four
content (0.79%) was recorded for the milk samples different breeds of cattle has shown that Holstein
from rural area of Northern Omdurman transported Friesian had less desirable traits nutritionally, which
by donkeys while low ash content (0.28%) was could be attributed to its adaptation to the herd
found in the milk transported by cars in Northern management practices in Nigeria.
Omdurman (Table 1). Slightly higher ash content in
Presence of adulterants and chemical preservatives
the current study was found than those of Ayub et al.
in milk samples:
(2007) who recorded maximum ash content of
0.71%. The present result indicated that of the
The high fat, protein and lactose content shown examined milk samples, 20 (16.7%) revealed the
in Table 1 were found in the milk samples collected addition of water, while 3 (2.5%) showed boric acid
from South Omdurman transported by donkeys. The and 23 (19.2%) were contaminated with formalin
present results showed higher values than those (Table 4). However, the collected milk samples were
reported by Shuiep et al. (2016) who found fat, found free from starch, hydrogen peroxide and
protein and lactose were 5.31±0.31%, 3.31±0.18% sodium bicarbonate. The use of even minute
and 5.44±0.23%, respectively. However, low fat, quantities of nitrate, boric acid, salicylic acid,
protein, and lactose content (3.41%, 2.67% and carbonate, bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide and
3.07%) were observed in milk samples collected formalin as preservatives is considered by the
from North Omdurman transported by cars (Table regulatory bodies as ones of the oldest adulterant for
1). The result in Table 1 for the raw milk (fat, dairy industry as they delay the spoilage of milk by
protein, lactose, and total solids) obtained from improving its keeping quality (Mansour et al. 2012).
South Omdurman showed significantly (P≤0.05) Instead, for ensuring the consumers health,
higher values than those obtained from North pasteurization of milk should be applied for
Omdurman. extending the shelf life and quality of the dairy
The means of the milk chemical constituents products (Abd Elrahman et al. 2009).
were affected by area, which might be due to
Added water:
adulteration practices by venders in North
Omdurman that were more than South Omdurman There were 6 and 5 samples, which accounted
(Table 4) while the ash content obtained from North for 20% and 16.7% of the total milk samples
and South Omdurman was insignificant (P≥0.05). distributed by cars and donkeys respectively; they
The lower values of chemical constituents might be were positive for the addition of water (Table 4).
due to adulteration of milk by the addition of water
(El Zubeir et al. 2008).

Table (4): Comparison of adulterants and preservatives of milk samples collected from North and South Omdurman rural area
Venders Cars Donkeys Total Percent
Regions South North South North
Omdurman Omdurman Omdurman Omdurman

Adulteration
Starch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

H 2 O2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Formalin 3 10% 7 23.3% 4 13.3% 9 30% 23 19.2%

Boric 3 10% 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2.5%

acid
Na2Co3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Added 4 13.3% 6 20% 5 16.7% 5 16.7% 20 16.7%

water
partial removal of milk fat or complaining both
Moreover, the same table indicated that the (Mansour et al., 2012). Moreover 97% of the milk
vendors were selling milk that was highly samples in canteens of educational institutes and
adulterated with water both in Northern and 93% in the public places in Faisalabad, Pakistan had
Southern Omdurman. Data from Egypt also showed added water (Faraz et al. 2013). Also, Barham et al.
that most of samples obtained from dairy shops (2014) explained the high and common adulteration
(5.1% to 32.6%) and street vendors (4.2% to of the milk samples (73%) with addition of water in
47.9%) were adulterated with added water and Pakistan which is to increase the milk volume during
Mohammed & El Zubeir, VMPH 2(3);2021: 64-72 69

summer season in order to satisfy the high demand. the cow’ milk resulted in prolonging its storage for
However, El Zubeir et al. (2008) reported high level up to 3 days at the refrigerated temperature without
and occurrence for the added water in the industrial changes in its appearance (Karmakar 1997). Barham
milk in comparison with raw milk collected farm et al. (2014) detected adulteration of milk by
bulk milk sampled in South Africa. They added that formalin (11%) in Pakistan. However, Debnath et al.
the lower level of lactose content of the milk samples (2015) reported that formaldehyde was absent.
is inductive of the dilution by water because the Formalin was found to cause vomiting and diarrhea
lactose level is the least variable component of milk. in addition to the abdominal pain. Moreover, the
Dias et al. (2016) reported that milk with added large dose was found to lower the body temperature
water is of major concern to the consumers because in addition shallow respiration, weak irregular pulse
it decreases its nutritious value and addition some and unconscious could also be seen and when the
additives to keep the density and color normal after optic nerve is affected it leads to blindness due to its
addition of water. Hence it is important that the potent carcinogenesis (Gwin et al. 2009).
producers have to supply safe and high-quality milk
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2):
through implementation of quality control measures
at the farm level (El Zubeir et al. 2008). The hydrogen peroxide was not found in all the
milk sampled from rural areas of Southern and
Starch:
Northern Omdurman (Table 4). However, El Zubeir
The present data indicated that the milk and El Owni (2009) found 1 sample was
sampled from rural areas in Omdurman (south and contaminated with hydrogen peroxide. Also,
north) showed negative result for the detection of Mansour et al. (2012) found contamination of
the starch (Table 4). These results disagreed with hydrogen peroxide in only 1 (3.3%) milk sample
Arora et al. (2004). Unlike the present result, Ahmad collected from dairy farms and 2 (3.3%) milk
(2009) found that 35.5% of the milk samples were samples that obtained from dairy shops in Egypt.
adulterated with starch in Khartoum State, Sudan. Debnath et al. (2015) also reported that hydrogen
However, Barham et al. (2014) reported the peroxide was present in 9.68% of the fresh milk
addition of starch as milk adulterant in 12% of the samples studied. The adulteration of milk by
examined samples in Pakistan. hydrogen peroxide was found in 13% in Pakistan
Fortunately, all the examined milk samples from (Barham et al. 2014). However, for the farms in
North and South Omdurman were free from starch developing tropical countries, the treatment of milk
(Table 4). The accumulation of the high amount of with hydrogen peroxide was found to be effective
undigested starch in colon resulted in diarrhea, and affordable means for extending the milk keeping
which is dangerous especially for the diabetic quality during transporting it to the market and
patients (Rideout et al. 2014). processing plants (Odoi et al. (2003). High keeping
quality of milk was noted when adding hydrogen
Boric acid:
peroxide and that a concentration of 0.04-0.05% of
The presence of boric acid in milk sampled H2O2 is appropriate for preserving the milk for about
from South Omdurman (Table 4) agreed with the 24 hours (Saha et al. 2003).
findings of El Zubeir and El Owni (2009) who
Sodium bicarbonates:
reported 77% positive milk samples for boric acid in
Khartoum State. However boric acid can cause The illustrated data (Table 4) showed that the
nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea, kidney milk examined from rural areas of Southern and
damage or cute failure of circulatory system and Northern Omdurman revealed negative results for
even death (See et al., 2010). This is regardless of sodium bicarbonates. Similarly, cows and buffalo's
the fact that the addition boric acid can keep the milk samples collected from dairy farms in Egypt
milk for 48 hours without noticeable change (Foley were found negative for both carbonate and
et al. 1974). bicarbonate (Mansour et al. 2012). However, they
detected that 5% of milk samples collected from
Formaldehyde:
cow's milk in dairy shops and 6.7% from vendors
The milk distributed by vendors in North and selling the milk along the streets were contaminated
South Omdurman was highly adulterated with with carbonate and bicarbonate. Similarly
formalin (Table 4). Similarly, El Zubeir and El Owni carbonates/bicarbonates were found in 27%, 10%
(2009) reported the presence of formaldehyde in 5 and 12% samples of milk that were collected during
of milk samples and the contamination was high in winter, summer, and rainy seasons respectively, in
the sale points in comparison to the farms. Similarly, India (Sanjeevani et al. 2011). Moreover Debnath et
Ojha et al. (2017) found that 28% of the cow milk al. (2015) reported that carbonates were present in
samples in Mathura city was positive for formalin. 67.74% of the fresh milk samples examined. Sodium
Formalin was also found to occur in 8 of the raw bicarbonate was detected in 10% of the raw milk
milk samples sold in Iran (Moosavy et al. 2019). sampled from local markets in Iran (Moosavy et al.
The reason is that some of the sellers preserved the 2019). Rideout et al. (2008) reported that the higher
milk using chemicals for increasing its keeping levels of carbonates/bicarbonates in the body lead
quality. The addition of 0.01 and 0.4% formalin to to potential disruption of the hormone’s signals,
Mohammed & El Zubeir, VMPH 2(3);2021: 64-72 70

which is responsible for regulating the development some dairy farms in Khartoum State, Sudan.
and reproduction. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological
The data of this study showed the presence of some Sciences, 3(6): 902-906.
adulterants (Table 4). The reasons for milk 6. AOAC, Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.
adulteration are because of the gap between the (2003). Official methods of analysis, (17th edition)
demand and supply, which is large due to intensity Washington D.C. U.S.A.
of the consuming population, financial reasons, 7. Arora, S., Sharma, V., Raj, D., Ram, M. & Kishore, K.,
physical nature of the milk (aqueous and opaque) (2004). Status of milk adulteration in some states
that facilitate its adulterants (Bector et al. 1998). of North India. Indian J. Dairy Sci., 57(1): 65-66.
Moreover, perishability of the milk, encourage some
8. Ayub, M., Ahmad, Q., Abbas, M., Qazi, I. M., Khattak,
unscrupulous producers and vendors to preserve
I. A. & Khattak, I. A. (2007). Composition and
and neutralize it using some illegal additive for adulteration analysis of milk samples. Sarhad
prolonging its shelf life of milk. Most of the milk is Journal of Agriculture, 23(4): 1127-1130.
procured and marketed by not well-organized
dairies that freely added some adulterants to the 9. Barham, G.S., Khaskheli, M., Soomro, A H. &
Nizamani, Z.A. (2014). Extent of extraneous water
milk (Molle and Leonil 2005). El Zubeir et al. (2008)
and detection of various adulterants in market milk
concluded that milk will be dangerous for human at Mirpurkhas, Pakistan. J. Agri. Vet. Sci., 7(3): 83-
health when it was adulterated or contaminated 89. https://doi.org/10.9790/2380-07318389
with hazardous materials.
10. Bashir, H.H.A. & El Zubeir, I.E.M. (2013). Milk
production and reproduction performance of
4. Conclusion Baggara cattle raised under extensive and semi-
The result obtained during this study clearly extensive system in South Kordofan State. Journal
indicated that the quality of raw milk sold in the of Animal Advance, 3(5):192-202.
https://doi.org/10.5455/japa.20130531093133
rural area at Omdurman city by vendors is low
especially in North Omdurman rural area. Formalin 11. Bector, B.S., Ram, M. & Singhal, O.P. (1998). Rapid
(19.2%), the added water (16.7%) and boric acid platform test for detection / determination of urea
(2.5%) are the common adulterants detected in the in milk. Indian Dairy Man, 50: 59-60.
samples of raw milk. This indicates that most of the 12. Bille, P.G., Haradoeb, B.R. & Shigwedha, N. (2009).
milk vendors are practicing the adulteration of milk Evaluation of chemical and bacteriological quality
with some adulterants to get more money and to of raw milk from Neudam dairy farm in Namibia.
prolong the shelf life. Because consuming milk with African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and
poor quality due to adulteration might create health Development, 9(7): 1511-1523.
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajfand.v9i7.47682
hazard to humans. Hence it is necessary to establish
proper milk collecting centers to check and control 13. Bhatti, M.Y. (2010). Formalin in milk. Consultancy
the hygienic quality of milk during production and report of Lahore High court. Free News alerts
marketing process. sums’ PT to 9900.
14. Chauhan, S.L., Priyanka, K.D.M., Paul, B.R. & Maji, C.
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