Vol. 10, Issue 8, Part B (2025)

Author(s): D Divyalakshmi, P Tensingh Gnanaraj, B Samuel Masilamoni Ronald, M Parthiban, Thanga Thamil Vanan and N Kumaravelu

Abstract: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) derails nearly 10-20% milk production. Essential oils exhibit anti-bacterial activity thereby, an alternate to antibiotics. A study was designed to evaluate the effect of Ocimum sanctum oil as post milking teat spray upon the Total Bacterial Count (TBC) of teat surface and milk, milk pH of SCM affected dairy cows. The study was carried out for one lactation period spread over three different seasons in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. To the positively detected SCM cases commercially available Ocimum sanctum essential oil was applied as post milking teat spray using pressure spray bottle. The results discernibly showed that the TBC of teat surface and milk samples evidenced no significant difference on the 0th day but depicted a significant difference (p<0.05) on the 7^th and 15^th day post application. Therefore, post-milking teat spraying was effective in preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms into the udder.