Determination of quality characterictics of tank milk in thrace region

In this thesis study, the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality parameters of bulk tank milk collected from the Thrace Region (Kırklareli, Edirne, and Tekirdağ), one of Turkey's prominent regions for dairy farming, were evaluated. A total of 115 milk samples were collected between October 2024 and March 2025, with 64 from Kırklareli, 27 from Edirne, and 24 from Tekirdağ. The highest average fat content was recorded in Edirne at 3.83%, followed by Kırklareli (3.74%) and Tekirdağ (3.71%). In terms of protein content, Edirne (3.50%) and Tekirdağ (3.49%) had similar values, while Kırklareli had a slightly lower average (3.42%). The average somatic cell counts were 258,000 in Edirne, 234,000 in Tekirdağ, and 216,000 in Kırklareli, although some samples exceeded the legal limits. No residues of beta-lactam or tetracycline antibiotics were detected in any of the samples. Regarding fat content, 5 samples from Kırklareli, 17 from Edirne, and 13 from Tekirdağ had fat levels below the legal minimum of 3.2%, making them non-compliant with the regulation. According to the regulation, the total bacterial count should not exceed 5.00 log CFU/ml. However, 44 samples from Kırklareli, 23 from Edirne, and 22 from Tekirdağ exceeded this limit. For somatic cell counts, 13 samples each from Kırklareli and Edirne, and 7 from Tekirdağ had values above 400,000 cells/ml, indicating non-compliance. This thesis demonstrates that raw milk produced in the Thrace Region is largely in accordance with the Turkish Food Codex and free from antibiotic residues. However, elevated bacterial and somatic cell counts in some samples highlight the need for improvements in milking hygiene, cold chain management, and animal health. Keywords: Bulk tank milk, Milk quality, Milk hygiene, Thrace Region.