Detection of extraneous materials and histology identification of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum Hoffm.) flakes commercialized in São Paulo state

Abstract

The seasonings and spices are consisted of different parts of dried vegetables that present characteristic aromas, and they are used to add flavor and to improve the food taste. The objectives of this work were to investigate frauds by identifying characteristic histological elements, the adequacy of methods for extraneous materials identification by means of sieving and floating procedures and to evaluate the hygienic conditions of condiments (marjoram, oregano, and parsley flakes). The 41 samples of marjoram, 84 of oregano and 57 samples of parsley flakes were obtained during the period of August to November, 1998, in six cities of the state of São Paulo. The technique described by Rodrigues et al. was used for investigating the histological elements. The technical procedures described by AOAC-2000 were used for identifying the extraneous materials. No fraud was detected in the three chosen and analyzed condiments. Of 182 analyzed samples, 98.90% were not in accordance to the law determination of July 7, 2003. The identified insects belonged to orders Hemiptera (aphids), Coleoptera (beetles) and Psocoptera, and the mostly frequent extraneous materials were fragments of insects. The floating method was the most efficient to recover extraneous materials, especially in detecting the presence of mites.