Evaluation of microscopic quality standard in chocolate powder commercial samples

Processes for processing, handling, storing and transporting cocoa and its products, favor its contamination. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to identify dirt and possible fraud in samples of commercial chocolate powder. Three brands from different batches purchased in commercial establishments of Rio de Janeiro and Nilópolis counties, RJ, Brazil were analyzed. In the light microscopic analysis, dirt such as 15 fungi hyphae, three insect fragments, 17 hairs and 284 plant fragments were found in all samples. The extraction of metallic particles was based on the principle of magnetic attraction by magnets, later evaluated by the Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy technique, coupled to the scanning electron microscope, where different chemical elements were detected, with predominance of Iron (Fe).