Minerals multi-element analysis and its relationship with geographical origin of artisanal Mexican goat cheeses

Abstract The objective of this study was to perform a profile of mineral elements and the relationship of those as markers of geographical origin of artisanal goat cheese from the State of Veracruz, Mexico. In fresh and mature goat cheeses the quantified elements were: heavy (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead), major (calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium), essential (cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc), and others (nickel and strontium). The database using variance analyses and discriminant function analysis was analyzed. Differences (P < 0.05) were found in the contents of elements between fresh and mature cheeses. The content of major, essential and other elements were similar to the results from other investigations. The concentration of arsenic and lead surpassed the limits accepted by international and Mexican standards. Nine elements helped to determine the geographic origin of the goat cheeses.