Bacterial Diversity Analysis of Bactrian Camel Raw Milk and Breeding Environment

This study aimed to use 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore the structure and diversity of bacterial communities in Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) raw milk (individual raw milk samples, mixed samples from temporary storage tanks, and cooled milk samples from tanker trucks) and environmental samples (feed, forage grass, and bedding soil) from three camel farming cooperatives in Hami, Xinjiang (six samples each). The results showed that a total of 4102198 raw sequences, 3482896 valid sequences and 66514 amplicon sequence variants were obtained from the 18 samples. Significant differences existed in the composition of microbial communities between the raw milk and environmental samples. The dominant bacterial phylum in the raw milk samples was Pseudomonadaceae (37.36%), followed by Bacteroidetes (31.65%) and Bacillota (22.92%); whereas in the environmental samples, the dominant bacterial phylum was Firmicutes (38.27%), followed by Cyanobacteriota (36.34%) and Pseudomonadaceae (14.21%). These findings indicate that camel milk is at risk of bacterial contamination during collection and storage, and feedstuffs and forages can serve as temporary bacterial reservoirs. Milking procedures and the hygiene of the breeding environment are two key factors affecting raw milk quality, which require focused attention in practical production.