Use of quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) coupled with multivariate statistical methods to detection and discrimination of adulterated fresh cheeses

Abstract

The most recurrent adulteration of cheeses consists of adding vegetable fat of lower cost than milk fat. Several analytical techniques are used to detect adulteration of cheeses but do not offer sensory perception information. The objective of this study was to detect and discriminate fresh cheeses adulterated with known concentrations of vegetable fat using sensory analysis coupled with multivariate techniques. The panel generated eight attributes through Quantitative Descriptive Analysis. The results showed that the power of discrimination was high (p < .05) in each panelist and panel level in all attributes evaluated. Principal Components Analysis explained the use of average value of the attributes, about 85% of the variability of the cheeses in two main components. Using dendrogram and confidence ellipses, the adulterated cheeses with a concentration of 15 g/L or higher of vegetable fat were identified. The discrimination of adulterated cheeses by this method was 92.5%.