Physicochemical properties and microbial contamination are the key determinants of milk quality. Quality milk must be free from abnormal odors, colors, and harmful microorganisms. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical properties and microbial contamination of raw milk along the value chain in the Muheza District, Tanzania. A total of 300 milk samples (216 from cow teats, 42 from farmers’ containers, 16 from milk collection centers, and 26 from milk vendors) were collected from five wards: Amani, Genge, Ngomeni, Pande Darajani, and Mkuzi in Muheza district. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed using a Lactoscan Milk Analyzer, while standard procedures were employed for microbial count assessment to determine Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and Total Coliform Count (TCC). The results showed that the physicochemical and microbial parameters met the East African Community standards. However, 19% of the samples from farmers’ and vendors’ containers showed abnormal color, and 31% from farmers’ containers and 26% from vendors’ containers showed abnormal smell. The fat content of milk samples from cow teats (3.31% ± 0.80%) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of samples from vendor containers (3.77% ± 0.14%) and collection centers (3.81% ± 0.44%). The pH of milk samples from vendors (6.68 ± 0.05) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of milk from farmers’ containers (6.59 ± 0.20). Furthermore, milk samples from vendors (1.78% ± 1.26%) and collection centers (1.70% ± 1.34%) contained more water than the milk samples from cow teats (0.89% ± 0.68%) and farmers’ containers (1.03% ± 1.12%). Some raw milk samples had TBC and TCC levels that exceeded the recommended standards of 20 and 4, respectively. Overall, milk from various sources is of an acceptable quality. Regular milk quality control should be institutionalized, emphazizing the improvement of hygienic practices among the actors in the value chain to reduce contamination risks.

This study evaluated the effects of in-ovo and post-hatch photo stimulation on the growth performance and survivability of broiler chickens. A total of 800 fertile eggs were incubated under three light treatments: green light (GL, 560 nm), blue light (BL, 480 nm), and dark conditions (DL, control). Eggs were exposed to monochromatic light generated by LED lamps in 15-minute intervals, with standard incubation conditions of 37.8°C and 60% relative humidity. Upon hatching, chicks were assigned to three treatment groups: continuous photo stimulation, early post-hatch photo stimulation, and in ovo photo stimulation effect after hatching, using Green Light (GL), Blue Light (BL), and White light (WL) control to evaluate the effects of light exposure on post-hatch growth and survivability over six weeks rearing period. Results demonstrated significant improvements in hatching performance and growth parameters under GL and BL treatments. GL-treated eggs produced the heaviest hatchlings (37.49 ± 0.19 g), and BL-treated birds achieved the highest final body weights under continuous photo stimulation (2278.40 ± 36.64 g) and in ovo photo stimulation (2409.35 ± 38.32 g). Compared to the dark control, feed conversion ratios (FCR) were low under BL (1.50 ± 0.02), followed by GL (1.63 ± 0.002). Survivability was consistently higher in GL and BL treatments, with BL showing the lowest mortality rates. These findings indicate that photo stimulation, particularly with blue and green light, significantly enhances broiler growth performance, feed efficiency, and survivability, offering a sustainable approach to improving poultry production in tropical environments

The global push to eliminate antibiotic growth promoters in poultry has accelerated the demand for effective natural alternatives. β-Glucans—branched polysaccharides derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell walls—enhance immunity and gut health; however, their mechanistic effect on the somatotropic axis and meat quality in broilers remains unresolved. Herein, the hypothesis that dietary β-glucan modulates somatotropic signaling to improve growth performance and breast muscle quality was tested with 240 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks allocated to three groups—untreated control, 250 mg β-glucan/kg feed, and 1 g β-glucan/kg feed—and reared for 35 d. Growth performance, plasma growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL), somatotropic axis gene expression in liver and breast muscle, and postmortem meat quality were assessed. β-Glucan supplementation significantly elevated final body weight, breast muscle weight, and plasma GH and PRL, and upregulated hepatic IGF-1 and muscle GH receptor mRNA at 35 d, and hepatic GH receptor mRNA at 17 d. Muscle pH was higher and relative drip loss lower in supplemented birds 72 h postmortem. These results support the hypothesis and identify 1 g β-glucan/kg feed as an effective dose for improving growth and meat quality through somatotropic axis modulation—a novel mechanistic demonstration in broiler chickens.