The purpose of this study was to analyze lipid oxidation and microbiological, physical, chemical and sensory attributes of dulce de leche.
Dulce de leche samples were produced from various essential oil (EOs), control (no EO), clove, cinnamon and a clove and cinnamon mixture. After manufacturing, the products were stored at 25°C for 210 days. During storage, the samples were analyzed for texture, color, protein, lipids, lipid oxidation, pH, moisture, ash and enumeration of Salmonella sp., coliforms at 45°C, Staphylococcus sp. coagulase positive and mesophilic bacteria. The sensory analysis used a hedonic scale for appearance, smell, taste and texture attributes and overall acceptance.
The addition of EOs (clove and cinnamon) did not alter (p > 0.05) the proximal composition, texture, color or sensory attributes of dulce de leche. All products presented a good acceptance rate (>70 per cent). However, among the samples containing EO, dulce de leche with cinnamon presented a higher acceptance (81.67 per cent), and after 210 days of storage, it had lower (40.9 μg malonaldehyde/g p-value <0.01) lipid oxidation. Microbiological analyses indicated that the EOs are active antimicrobial components and are viable inclusions in this type of product.
The inclusion of EOs in dulce de leche provided an overall sensory acceptance similar to the traditional product and all products, including the control, were comparable. Dulce de leche produced with EOs is marketable.
