Doce de leite is a regional food produced mainly in Argentina and Brazil, presenting some problems related with quality. The present paper aims to determine the chemical composition of commercial samples (n = 42) in order to search for some irregularities. The compounds present in milk (lactose, protein, lipids and ash) were determined as well as starch. The starch content was enzymatically determined and the results showed high levels of polyssacharide. On 15 samples levels higher than 3.0% of starch were found, with 7.8% as a maximum. Moisture levels higher than that allowed by Brazilian legislation [2] were detected on ten samples, with a maximum of 37.2%. The statistical analysis of the chemical composition showed that there was a positive correlation between milk compounds (lactose, protein, lipids and ash) present in the samples and that these compounds were negatively correlated with starch, showing that in some cases starch is added for reducing costs, which can be characterized as a fraud. The principal component analysis evidenced sample differentiation due to their milk compounds, starch and sucrose contents.
doce de leite; starch; quality
