Avaliação da qualidade e pesquisa de aflatoxina M1 em queijo parmesão ralado

Abstract

The grated parmesan cheese is a food commonly consumed in Brazil and, in the last decade, few studies evaluated their quality. The aim of this research was to evaluate the adequacy and the levels of aflatoxin M1 in the grated parmesan cheese marketed in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro in relation to the recommendations of current legislation. For this, were analyzed 30 samples representing 10 major brands sold in the region. In the evaluation of quality, were analyzed the levels of moisture, water activity, pH, acidity, sorbic acid and indicator microorganisms of hygienic quality and sanitary. The research of AFM1 was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-DFL) preceded by purification by immunoaffinity chromatography. Only 14 of the 30 samples analyzed (46.7%) were in accordance with the legislation that regulates the product quality. Beyond the lack of uniformity in production, the major irregularities were due to excessive moisture content and also by the abusive addition of the preservative sorbic acid. These results suggest the occurrence of faults on Good Manufacturing Practices by the industries responsible for the brands tested, which represents beyond economic fraud, risks to consumers health, even if indirectly. With relation to research of AFM1, all samples showed satisfactory values with the national legislation. However, the existing limit for aflatoxin in this product is excessively high when compared with those established by others countries. If compared with the regulation prevailing in the European Union, 8 samples (26.7%) could be considered contaminated.