EVALUATION OF THE COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL QUALITY OF STANDARDIZED PASTEURIZED MILK MARKETED IN THE CITY OF SÃO LUÍS, MA, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study to evaluate the composition and physico-chemical quality of standardized pasteurized milk marketed in São Luis, MA, Brazil, verify whether it was within the standards established by Instruction No. 51 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, and observe the occurrence of any economic fraud such as adding water, by measuring the density and freezing point. We collected 20 samples of standardized pasteurized milk during the month of May 2009, at a local town market. These were analyzed for acidity, density, cryoscopy, TS, SNF, protein, fat, ash, proof of peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase. Of the 20 samples analyzed, it was found that the density ranged from 1.020 to 1.027 g/mL; acidity from 10 to 14°D; fat from 2.5 to 3.8%; TS 8.6 to 11.36%; SNF 6.1 to 7.86%; freezing point 0.414 to 0.505°C; proteins from 2.4 to 3.32%; ash 0.49 to 0.95%; while the percentage of water added ranged from 1.27 to 17.83%. All samples were phosphatase negative and peroxidase positive. Regarding the results obtained, we can conclude that they were generally poor, showing mainly product fraud. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt measures for control by the relevant authorities and to raise awareness within the industries and among consumers.

KEY WORDS
Analysis; proximate analysis; fraud