Determination of Pathogen Candida spp. in bulk tank milk samples

Determination of Pathogen Candida spp.' nin Bulk Tank Milk Samples This study was conducted to confirm the presence of pathogen Candida spp. in the milk collected from milk tanks with the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). For this purpose, carbohydrate fermentation, carbohydrate assimilation test, urease test, germ tube and chlamidyaspor tests were performed on 100 milk samples taken from milk tanks. Performed tests showed that in 51 milk samples Candida spp. was determined. As a result of species separation, 15 samples were found to be C. tropicalis. Furthermore verification of the 15 samples was done with the use of PCR technique. As a result, it can be concluded that the presence of C.tropicalis in raw milk, a pathogen belonging to Candida species, poses a risk for both the milk sector and public health. Key Words Milk, Pathogen Candida , Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis