Survey of Mesophilic and Thermophilic Sporeformers in Dairy Powders and Raw Milk Across the U.S.

US dairy exports have increased by 178% during the past 10 years, of which dried dairy products (whey proteins, NFDM and WMP) accounted for 60% of those exported dairy products. These exported products are increasingly subjected to more stringent microbiological specifications, particularly in regards to mesophilic and thermophilic sporeformer levels. Previous research suggests that these organisms can form biofilms in the powder production equipment thereby contaminating the product throughout processing. </P>Current ongoing research in the Milk Quality Improvement Program is investigating the aerobic sporeformer ecology in dried dairy products in NYS. As an extension of ongoing research the overall goal of this project is to establish baseline aerobic sporeformer levels and ecology in dairy powders and corresponding raw milk across the US. Key goals for this project are a) establish baseline aerobic sporeformer levels and ecology in U.S. milk powders. A one-time sampling of three milk powder samples (WMP or SMP/NFDM) from 15 U.S. dairy powder processors, b) establish baseline aerobic sporeformer levels and ecology in the raw milk supply for U.S. milk powders. A one-time sampling of up to five samples of raw milk corresponding to processed milk powder, and c) characterize spore of interest to the U.S. milk powder industry. Isolates collected will be characterized using molecular subtyping techniques for use in developing novel technologies for detecting groups of organisms of interest.