An electronic equipment based on the infrared spectroscopy was evaluated to measure the whey composition in "Minas padrão" and "prato" cheeses. The results for fat, protein, and total solids using infrared instrument based on filters and using standard methods were compared. There were differences between the values obtained from both analytical methods, and since compounds formed during heating of the analyzed whey may have interfered with infrared spectrum readings, a linear transformation of the data was done. After this statistical adjustment, results for "Minas padrão" cheese were equivalent in both infrared and standard methods. For "prato" cheese whey, the difference was significant, even after the adjustment.
cheese whey; composition; infrared milk analyzer
