The proteolytic and lipolytic activities of the isolates are shown in Table 4. M.luteus showed slow proteolytic activity when compared with B.cereus, P.aeruginosa and S.marcescens. Except E.coli, all the bacterial isolates exhibited lipolytic activity. This kind of proteolytic and lipolytic activity of different bacterial isolates in milk has also been reported[5,8,11]. Putative Pseudomonas species were isolated from raw and processed milk and were characterized by the production of proteases, lipases and lecithinases[19]. The bacterial isolates with proteolytic and lipolytic activity has been isolated from raw milk samples in the present study and this shows the level of contamination of milk before exposing the milk to refrigeration temperature. Proteolysis of milk proteins can be attributed to both native proteases and proteases produced by psychrotrophic bacteria during storage of fresh raw milk[2,20]. The bacterial and enzyme action in the stored raw milk was greater than that in fresh raw milk[3]. It is evident from these studies that there might be a possibility of alteration of milk by the activity of the bacterial isolates in the present study, if the raw milk is stored at refrigeration temperature. The findings of the present study clearly indicate the presence of high number of contaminant bacteria in raw milk samples and their lipolytic and proteolytic activities. The high number of bacteria and their activity may result in the degradation of milk during transport and storage, hence utmost care is to be taken while handling raw milk to avoid spoilage.