Use of stable isotopes of carbon to detect coconut water adulteration

Authors

  • Vitor Massami Imaizumi Universidade Estadual Paulista/FCA – Depto. de Horticultura – Lab. de Bebidas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7845-872X
  • Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori Universidade Estadual Paulista/FCA – Depto. de Produção e Melhoramento Vegetal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9960-8125
  • Carlos Ducatti Universidade Estadual Paulista/Instituto de Biociências – Depto. de Física e Biofísica – Centro de Isótopos Estáveis
  • Waldemar Gastoni Venturini Filho Universidade Estadual Paulista/FCA – Depto. de Horticultura – Lab. de Bebidas https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8567-7755

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2017-0289

Keywords:

Cocus nucifera L., beverage, isotope analysis, law, fraud

Abstract

Industrialized coconut water may have been adulterated by adding sugar above the limit permitted by law. According to Brazilian law, industrialized coconut water can receive the maximum addition of 1 g of sugar per 100 mL of the drink. This work aimed to detect adulteration in industrialized coconut water produced in Brazil and measure the relative isotopic enrichment in fresh coconut water, using the techniques of stable isotopes of carbon. Fresh coconut water samples from 13 locations, industrialized coconut water samples of 17 different brands and cane sugar were analyzed by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer coupled to an elemental analyzer. The relative isotopic enrichment found for fresh coconut water samples ranged from -26.40 to -23.76. From 17 brands of coconut water analyzed, 11 were adulterated by excess sugar and two were already adulterated by presenting soluble solids content higher above the threshold permitted by law. In 65 % of Brazilian industrialized coconut water, the amount of exogenous sugar is higher than the limit permitted by law. Most Brazilian companies do not respect the legal limit of adding cane sugar established by law.

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Published

2019-04-16

Issue

Section

Food Science and Technology

How to Cite

Use of stable isotopes of carbon to detect coconut water adulteration. (2019). Scientia Agricola, 76(3), 261-265. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2017-0289