Determination of Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Total Dissolved Solids, pH, and Microbiological Quality of Ice Cream Samples Collected from Libyan Markets

Abstract

Ice cream is one of the most food consumer during different seasons, it contains different chemical compounds and food additives. This study aimed to estimate the contents of Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose (CMC) in many ice cream which found in the major supermarkets in some Libyan cities. Also, the pH and total dissolved salts. This study aims to measure the levels of Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose (CMC) in various ice cream samples collected from the local markets (Libya), where twenty-one types were purchased from different supermarkets, including imported and local ice cream samples. The spectrophotometric methods were used in this study for carboxyl methyl cellulose, while the total dissolved solids (TDS) and PH values were estimated by PH mater, including a sensor for TDS values. The concentrations of CMC of the ice cream samples fluctuated in the range of (207.33 – 1250.66 ppm ), the high contents of ( 1250.66 ppm ) were recorded in the samples of  (Ice Queen, Jordan), whereas the low contents were recorded in the samples of (SNICKERS CRISP, France). The results recorded wide variations in the CMC of the studied samples. (Table 2 and Figure 4). The contents of TDS values ranged between (26.1 – 191 ppm), the high contents were recorded in the samples of (SNICKERS, Poland), whereas the lower values were observed in the samples of (AlMADHAKSTRA WBERRY, Libya).  For the pH values, most of the samples gave acidic values (5.3 – 7.14). According to the results recorded in this study, there are wide variations in Carboxyl methyl cellulose in the studied samples of ice cream. The values of Total Dissolved solids /Salts showed wide variations, on the other side the pH values showed that most of the studied are lied in the acidic scale, which may be harmful to human health. The presence of CMC in the samples is very dangerous for the human consumer, where most of the recorded values are above 100 ppm, which is recommended by the WHO. For the microorganism study, the results recorded the presence of some bacteria and Fugal species in the selected samples; these organisms are associated with many diseases and have a negative effect on human health. Ice cream is one of the most consumed foods by children and others.