Sufficiency and analytical sensitivity of ethanol test in the research of other potential compounds restorative of cryoscopy index in milk defrauded with water inclusion

Abstract

The Brazilian legislation regulating the research of milk fraud limits the official method for researching ethyl alcohol. Other alcoholic and chemical compounds, potential restorative of the cryoscopy index, can then go unnoticed by the quality control of industries since the official method might not be sufficient in the detection of these compounds. The objective of this study was to verify whether the method of ethanol detection is efficient for the detection of other alcoholic compounds (methanol, propanol, butanol) and acetone, its analytical sensitivity, and the influence on the restorative potential of different concentrations in the cryoscopy index. This study showed that the ethanol research method has analytical sensitivity considered satisfactory (0.01%) and is even better for the research of other alcohols (0.005%) and acetone. The reconstitution of the cryoscopy index of methanol was superior to the other evaluated substances. The presence of ethanol, methanol, propanol, butanol, and acetone in milk indicates that the product has been doubly defrauded: with water and then with one of these substances used to remake cryoscopy and, even at low concentrations, may expose the consumer to risks. The technique recommended by the legislation for research of ethanol in milk proved to be sufficient and sensitive for the detection of ethanol, as well as other alcoholic compounds and acetone, so it can be used by the quality control of industries for the detection of these substances.