Avaliação da potencialidade de argilas de queima clara como matérias-primas para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos cerâmicos

The industries of structural ceramics are among the most important production chains in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The industry and other interest groups to target the replacement of firewood by natural gas. Studies accordingly concluded that simple change does not guarantee products of superior quality, and that the increase in spending on fuel can economically cripple the use of gas for burning the majority of products manufactured by that action. However some proposals of innovations in terms of process and product are being studied in an attempt to justify the use of natural gas in industry, structural ceramics. One of the aspects investigated is the development of ceramic products differentiated, with new designs and greater value added. Inserted in that context, this paper aims to investigate the potential use of clay-firing clear fabrication of the "bricks of apparent joins drought", a new ceramic product with an innovative way. The development of the work was done in three stages. In the initial stage was held the characterization of raw materials, sought information on physical, chemical, mineralogical and mechanical samples. In the second stage five bodies were made using two of the nine ceramic clay characterized the first step. The masses were analyzed and compared with respect to the size distribution, plasticity and technological properties. In the last part of this work was carried out tests on massive bricks manufactured on an industrial scale. The results show that the nine clays can be used in the manufacture of new ceramic products, is the only constituent of mass ceramic or by mixing with other(s) clay(s

Estudo das propriedades termofísicas com variação da expansibilidade de compósito desenvolvido com matriz PUR-NOP e carga funcional de argilomineral

In this study were conducted experimental procedures for determination of variation of the expandability of rigid polyurethane foam (PUR) from a natural oil polyol (NOP), specifically the Castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, pure and additions of the vermiculite in phase dispersed in different percentage within a range from 0% to 20%, mass replacement. From the information acquired, were defined the parameters for production of bodies of test, plates obtained through controlled expansion, with the final volume fixed. Initially, the plates were subjected to thermal performance tests and evaluated the temperature profiles, to later be extracted samples duly prepared in accordance with the conditions required for each test. Was proceeded then the measurement of the coefficient of thermal conductivity, volumetric capacity heat and thermal diffusivity. The findings values were compared with the results obtained in the tests of thermal performance, contributing to validation of the same. Ultimately, it was investigated the influence that changes in physical-chemical structure of the material had exerted on the variation of thermophysical quantities through gas pycnometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF), infrared spectroscopy using Fourier transform (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Based on the results obtained was possible to demonstrate that all load percentage analyzed promoted an increase in the potential expansion (PE) of the resin. In production of the plates, the composites with density near at the free expansion presented high contraction during the cure, being the of higher density adopted as definitive standard. In the thermal performance tests, the heating and cooling curves of the different composites had presented symmetry and values very close for lines of the temperature. The results obtained for the thermophysical properties of composites, showed little difference in respect of pure foam. The percentage of open pores and irregularities in the morphology of the composites were proportionate to the increment of vermiculite. In the interaction between the matrix and dispersed phase, there were no chemical transformations in the region of interface and new compounds were not generated. The composites of PUR-NOP and vermiculite presented thermal insulating properties near the foam pure and percentage significantly less plastic in its composition, to the formulation with 10% of load

Efeito da adição de diatomita no comportamento reológico e mecânico de argamassas colantes

The mortar is a type of adhesive products used in large scale in construction, it is a function of its variety and ease of application . Although industrialized product and endowed with technology in its production is very frequent occurrence of the same pathology , which causes frequent damage and losses in the construction industry. Faced with this real market situation , the technical and scientific study of the effects of the addition of diatomite on the rheological and mechanical behavior of adhesive mortars are needed. This work back as a suggestion the use of diatomite as a mineral additive in formulations of adhesive mortars for partial replacement of cellulose based additives . The choice of using this mineral occurs through physical, chemical and rheological properties that justify its use in this product line , and is a raw material abundant in our region and can thus contribute positively to the minimization of direct costs cellulose -based additives . Industrial adhesive mortar used for comparison , was type AC1 . Formulations of adhesive mortar with diatomite held constant dosed quantities of sand, cement and the water / cement (w / c ) , or adhesive mortar formulations were developed with levels 10, 20, 30 and 40% of diatomite substituting part of the cellulose -based additives . These mortars were subjected to the following tests that define and evaluate the rheological and mechanical behavior of this type of mortar. The results attest the best performance of the adhesive mortar type AC1 with partial replacement of 30 % of the cellulose-based additive for diatomite

Adição de chamote de velas de ignição inservíveis na obtenção de cerâmica branca a base de alumina

This work presents research into the addition of chamotte obtained from the ceramic isolator of unusable spark plugs in formulations of material mixes for standard white ceramic material with aluminum oxide bases. After the physical chemical characterization of the primary materials, standard clay and the chamotte, three mixtures were prepared with concentrations of 10, 20 and 30% chamotte by weight in relation to the standard clay. The test samples underwent heating at a rate of 30 0C/min to levels that included 100o , 200o , 300o, 400o, 500o e 600 0C and also we submitted to three distinct burn temperatures: 1450o, 1500o e 1550 0C, remaining at these temperatures for 2 hour periods. After sintering, the physical and microstructural properties of the different test samples were measured and analyzed. The results show that the materials obtained present good technical properties and that the chamotte can be reutilized as an additive in the production of white ceramic material with an aluminum oxide base

Avaliação do processo industrial da cerâmica vermelha na região do Seridó - RN

Particularly in Braziland in Rio Grande do Norte, companies manufacturing red ceramic, play an important role as agents of development to study the region Seridó- RN, specific place for carrying out the research. It is observed in this region a concentration of red ceramic industries of small size, which, despite its importance in the ceramic, they are unable to enjoy or use the new forms of administrative management and technological advances designed and offered by universities, centers of research and projects of governments, remained almost entirely outside the progress and modernization, technological and administrative. These companies still have outdated technology, and management processes, providing quality problems and standardization of end products. Upon these conditions are the companies going through crisis and struggling to survive alone and without assistance. The region of Seridó-RN, lets make a detailed case study of red ceramic companies in the region proposed from the existing theoretical and actual lifting of the condition of the product manufacturing red ceramic, allowing through this overview of the implementation of collect samples of raw materials, allowing the study of each ceramic industry that contributed to the participation of the research, which was determined parameters such as: analysis of the physical, chemical and technological properties of raw materials, characterization of the processes used, raising the technological resources considering equipment, machinery, supplies, raw materials and facilities available and its organization by type of products from companies involved in this study. The methodology consists of the following steps: collection of raw material, crushing and screening, characterization of raw materials (liquid limit, chemical analysis, mineralogical analysis, differential thermal analysis, sieve analysis), mixing, forming, cutting, drying and burning of ceramic bodies and bodies of evidence. The results showed that it was clay with distinct characteristics with respect to plasticity. With respect to the different compositions of mixtures of ceramic masses, we conclude that the ceramic properties showed a direct proportionality with increasing fraction of the clay not plastic. However, the compositions of the masses studied proved to be the most appropriate for the types of simulated clay for use in ceramics. Adopted in the ceramic processing made it possible to obtain products the resulted in consistent properties, and in some cases even exceeding the requirements of technical studies and standard-Brazilian clays to obtain ceramic products such as tiles, bricks and tiles to floor. Based on the discussions from the results obtained in the various processing steps of this work, one can draw conclusions according to the physico-chemical and mineralogical properties of raw materials, the properties of ceramic products burned and analysis. This work may be used by other researchers, private companies and governmental organizations, undergraduate students and graduate, can develop studies and future research to: develop projects to modify the furnaces; mapping projects develop and rationalize the exploitation of raw materials ;promoting reforestation and forest management; develop reduction projects and recovery of waste; develop training projects in manpower sector, and develop security projects, improving the conditions of work in the area pottery

Estudo tribológico de biolubrificantes com adição de nanopartículas de óxidos (zinco e cobre)

Currently, vegetable oils have been studied for bio-lubricants base that fits the new environmental standards. Since, in a world full of finite natural resources, mineral oils bring consequences to the environment due to its low biodegradability and toxicity, also it is important to consider that synthetic oils have a high cost The aim of this work is to obtain a biolubricant additived with oxide nanoparticles (ZnO and CuO) for better resistance to friction and wear, which is not toxic to the environment and have better adherence under boundary lubrication. The methodology consisted in the synthesis of bio-lubricants (soybean and sunflower base) by epoxidation reaction. Then, some physical-chemical analysis in bio-lubricants are made to characterize theses lubricants, such as, density, acidity, iodine value, viscosity, viscosity index. Later, the lubricants were additive with nanoparticles. The tribological performance was evaluated by the equipment HFRR (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig) consisting of a wear test ball-plan type. The characterization of wear analysis was performed by SEM / EDS. The results show that bio-lubricants may be synthesized by reaction of epoxidation with good conversion. Tribological point of view, the epoxidized oils are more effective than lubricant additived with the oxide nanoparticles, they had lower coefficients of friction and better rate of film formation in the study. However, because they are environmentally friendly, bio-lubricants gain the relevant importance in tribological field

Reaproveitamento e caracterização dos resíduos orgânicos provenientes do Programa MESA DA SOLIDARIEDADE da CEASA/RN

As an auxiliary tool to combat hunger by decreasing the waste of food and contributing for improvement of life quality on the population, CEASA/RN has released from August/03 to August/05 the program MESA DA SOLIDARIEDADE. Despite of the positive results of this program, that has already distributed around 226 tons of food, there is still food being thrown in the trash as the deliver of the same food in its natural form would be a health risk to those who would consume it and only the correct processing of this food can make it edible. This work has as a goal the reuse of solid residues of vegetal origin generated by the CEASA/RN, through the Program MESA DA SOLIDARIEDADE and the characterization of the product obtained so it might be used as a mineral complement in the human diet. To the collecting of samples (from September until December /2004) it was developed a methodology having as a reference the daily needs of mineral salts for infants at the age of seven to ten. The sample was packed in plastic bags and transported in an ambient temperature to the laboratory where it was selected, weighted, disinfected, fractionated and dried to 70ºC in greenhouse. The dry sample was shredded and stored in bottles previously sterilized. The sample in nature was weighted in the same proportion of the dry sample and it was obtained a uniform mass in a domestic processor. The physical-chemical analyses were carried out in triplicate in the samples in nature and in the dry product, being analyzed: pH, humidity, acidity and soluble solids according to IAL (1985), mineral salts contents (Ca, K, Na, Mg, P and Fe) determined by spectrophotometry of Atomic Absorption, caloric power through a calorimetric bomb and presence of fecal traces and E. coli through the colilert method (APHA, 1995). During this period the dry food a base of vegetables presented on average 5,06% of humidity, 4,62 of pH, acidity of 2,73 mg of citric acid /100g of sample, 51,45ºBrix of soluble solids, 2.323,50mg of K/100g, 299,06mg of Ca/100g, 293mg of Na/100g, 154,66mg of Mg/100g, 269,62mg of P/100g, 6,38mg of Fe/100g, caloric power of 3,691Kcal/g (15,502KJ/g) and is free of contamination by fecal traces and E..coli. The dry food developed in this research presented satisfactory characteristics regarding to its conservation, possessing low calories, constituting itself a good source of potassium, magnesium, sodium and iron that can be utilized as a food complement of these minerals

Desenvolvimento de um destilador solar para tratamento de águas de produção de petróleo com vistas a sua utilização na agricultura e geração de vapor

The production of petroleum is frequently accomplished with great volumes of water, that it is carried of the underground with the oil. It is a challenge of the present century the development of technologies that allow the use of waste water for purposes that consume great amounts of water and don't demand as rigid as the one of the drinking water requirements. The solar distillation has been configuring as an alternative of clean technology for desalination of brine and saline. Besides causing the minimum possible damage to the environment, it takes advantage of an abundant and free energy source: the solar energy. That study aims to develop a Solar Distillator for treatment of the produced water of the oil wells, to obtain an efluent to use in agriculture and vapor generation. The methodology for collection, conservation and analysis of the physical-chemical parameters obeyed the norms in APHA (1995). The sampling was of the composed type. Experiments were accomplished in the solar distillation pilot and simulation in thermostatic bathing. The operation was in batch system and for periods of 4, 6 and 12 h. The developed Distillator is of the type simple effect of two waters. It was still tested two inclination angles for covering; 20º and 45º. The Distillator presented minimum of 2,85 L/m2d revenues and maximum of 7,14 L/m2d. The removals of salts were great than 98%. The removal of TOC in the simulation was great than 90%. In agreement with the data of energy and mass balance, it was verified that the developed solar Distillator presented compatible revenues with those found in literature for similar types. It can be inferred that the obtained distilled water assists to the requirements CONAMA in almost all the points and could be used for irrigation of cultures such as cotton and mamona. As the distilled water has characteristics of fresh water it can be used in the generation of vapor

Purificação da glicerina bruta obtida a partir da transesterificação do óleo de algodão

The crude glycerine is a raw material that can be used in a wide variety of products. Even with all the impurities inherent in the process of being obtained, the crude glycerin is already in a marketable product. However, the market is much more favorable to the commercialization of purified glycerine. The glycerin is a byproduct gotten from the process of transesterification of waste oils and fats in the production of biodiesel. More recently, the deployment of the new Federal Law of Brazil, related to the implementation of energy resources, forces, from 2008, the increase of 2% biodiesel in diesel common with prospects for 5% (B5). Therefore, it is indispensable that new routes of purification as well as new markets are developed. The objective of this work was to purify, through ion exchange, the crude glycerin, obtained from the reaction of transesterification of cottonseed oil. The cottonseed oil was characterized as the fatty acid composition and physical-chemical properties. The process of ion exchange was conducted in batch. In this process were used strong cation, low anion resins and a mixed resin used to de-ionize water. The purified glycerin was characterized as the content of metals. Tests were performed with activated charcoal adsorption, and for this, it was made tests of time contact with coal as well as quantity of coal used. The time of activation, the amount of the activation solution, the contact time of the glycerol solution in resins, the amount and type of resin applied were evaluated. Considering the analysis made with activated charcoal, when the glycerin solution was treated using the resins individually it was observed that in the conditions for treatment with 10 g of resin, 5 hours of contact with each resin and 50 mL of glycerin solution, its conductivity decreased to a cationic resin, increased to the anionic resin and had a variable value with respect to resin mixed. In the treatment in series, there was a constant decrease in the conductivity of the solution of glycerin. Considering two types of treatment, in series and individually, the content of glycerol in glycerin pre-purified solution with the different resins varied from 12,46 to 29.51% (diluted solution). In analysis performed without the use of activated charcoal, the behavior of the conductivity of the solution of glycerin were similar to results for treatment with activated charcoal, both in series as individually. The solution of glycerin pre-purified had a glycerol content varying from 8.3 to 25.7% (diluted solution). In relation to pH, it had a behavior in accordance with the expected: acid for the glycerin solution treated with cationic resin, basic when the glycerin solution was treated with the anionic resin and neutral when treated with the mixed resin, independent of the kind of procedure used (with or without coal, resins individually or in series). In relation to the color of the glycerin pre-purified solution, the resin that showed the best result was the anionic (colorless), however this does not mean that the solution is more in pure glycerol. The chromatographic analysis of the solutions obtained after the passage through the resins indicated that the treatment was effective by the presence of only one component (glycerol), not considering the solvent of the analysis

Extração e pirólise do óleo de girassol (Helianthus annus l.) visando a produção de biocombustíveis

Nowadays, the growing environmental worry leads research the focus the application of alternative materials from renewable resources on the industrial process. The most common vegetable oil extractant using around the world is the hexane, a petroleum derived, toxic and flammable. Based on this fact, the goal of this work was to test vegetable oil extractions from sunflower seeds cultivated on the Rio Grande do Norte State using two extraction process, the mechanical expelling and solvent extraction, this one using hexane and ethanol as a alternative solvent. The solvent extractions were carried out in the Soxhlet extractor in three different extraction times (4, 6, and 8 hours). The effect of solvent and extraction time was evaluated. The mechanical extraction was carried out in a expeller and the sunflower oil obtained was characterized by its physical-chemical properties and compared with sunflower refinery oil. Furthermore this work also explored the pyrolysis reaction carried out by thermogravimetry measurement as alternative route to obtain biofuel. For this purpose the oil samples were heated to ambient temperature until 900°C in heating rate of 5, 10, 20ºC min-1 with the objective evaluated the kinetics parameters such activation energy and isoconversion. The TG/DTG curves show the thermal profile decomposition of triglycerides. The curves also showed that antioxidant presents on the refinery oil not influence on the thermal stability of sunflower oil. The total yield of the extraction s process with hexane and ethanol solvent were compared, and the results indicated that the extraction with ethanol were more efficient. The pyrolysis reaction results indicated that the use of unpurified oil required less energy to obtain the bio-oil

Caracterização físico-química, reológica e sensorial de iogurte obtido pela mistura dos leites bubalino e caprino

Milk from different animals can be used for dairy production. Yoghurt is a popular fermented milk product and considered to be one of the greatest importance in terms of consumer acceptance and consumption. The present research deals with the production of strawberry set-type yoghurt by mixing goat and buffalo s milk and it has the objective of taking advantage of the intrinsic characteristics of each milk to produce a final product with desirable attributes. It was conducted by analyzing five experimental groups with different proportions of goat and buffalo s milk: C 100% goat s milk; 7C3B - 70% goat s milk and 30% buffalo s milk, 5C5B - 50% goat s milk and 50% buffalo s milk, 3C7B 30% goat s milk and 70% buffalo s milk; B - 100% buffalo s milk. Each group was evaluated for total solids content and the acidification profile was monitored every 30 minutes by pH analysis. The yoghurt samples were analyzed for physical-chemical (pH, acidity, protein, fat, total and reducing sugars, ash and total solids), rheological (syneresis and viscosity) and sensory characteristics (appearance, odor, consistency and flavour). Samples with higher percentual of bubaline milk reached Vm faster, but the time necessary for pH 4.6 (Te) were similar between groups. Statistical differences (p<0.05) were observed for fat and total solids content of yoghurt, with superior values for groups higher proportions of buffalo s milk. The parameters of behavior reached by the model of Ostwald of Waale pointed yoghurt samples as non-Newtonian and pseudoplastic fluids. Yoghurt made only with goat s milk (C) had higher values (p<0.05) for syneresis, which can be explained by its fragile coagulum. Additionally, this group also had the lowest sensory scores for the attributes consistence and taste, while bubaline yoghurt (B) obtained the best acceptance indexes for all of the appraised parameters

Avaliação físico-química e funcional da algaroba prosopis juliflora proveniente da mesorregião agreste do Rio Grande do Norte

Algaroba (Prosopis juliflora) is a typical legume from arid and semi arid regions, which is composed by sugar-rich pods and high protein seeds. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites recognized as potent bioactive compounds, found in several vegetables.Therefore, the objective of this work is to characterize the algaroba flour in terms of its physicalchemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods, a-amylase and a-glycosidase inhibition, as well as to analyze its organic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three experimental groups were investigated (seeds, seeds and pod together and only pod), which were prepared by oven drying and posterior grinding. Water and ethanol extracts (70, 80, 100% v/v) were prepared and used for functional studies. Organic compounds were detected by using HPLC equipment coupled to mass spectrometer. Results show important physical-chemical differences among the experimental groups, seeds, seeds and pod together and only pod. The algarroba seed flour is high in protein (49.49%) and fat (3.10%), while the pod flour is especially rich in sugar (60.3% to 67.9%). Algaroba phenolics are concentrated in pod flour, mainly in water extracts (1.30 mg GAEQ/100g sample). All seed extracts showed high DPPH activity and maximum antioxidant activity was registered for ethanol 80% extracts (19.81 μM Trolox/g sample). The ABTS activity ranged from 9.73 to 12.74 μM Trolox/g sample. Nearly all the extracts were able to inhibit α-amylase activity mildly (30.50% to 48.80%), while the maximum α-glycosidase inhibition was observed for pod water extracts (81.03%). Algaroba water extracts proven to be especially rich in organic compounds, observed by the high number of chromatographic peaks. Results demonstrate that algaroba is a potential candidate for further investigations concerning its possible functional applications

Estudo das características físico-químicas e funcionalidade de bagaços de frutas tropicais desidratados em leito de jorro

Fruits are rich sources of bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds. Tropical fruit cultivation is an important productive segment in Brazilian Northeast. Its industrialization generates solid wastes as co-products, with potential environmental impact. Considering the recognized bioactive content of fruit and its derivatives, this research has the objective of investigating acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), cajá-umbu (Spondia ssp), jambolan (Syzygium cumini) and pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) dried wastes obtained by spouted bed drier. It was analyzed the physical-chemical composition, solubility and microphotographic aspect of these dried wastes. Besides this, it was also evaluated the bioactive content, antioxidant activity and inhibitory activity against aamylase and a-glycosidase enzymes of water and ethanol (70%, 80% e 100% v/v) extracts prepared from fruit dried wastes, as well as their possible correlations. The dried fruit wastes showed high phenolic (606.04 to 3074.6 mg GAE eq/100 g sample), anthocyanin (478.7 mg/100 g for jambolan) and ascorbic acid (2748.03 mg/100 g for acerola) contents, as well as high antioxidant DPPH activity (14.27 a 36.30 mg Trolox eq/g sample). The extracts exhibited moderate to high a-amylase inhibition (23.97% a 76.58%) and high α-glycosidase inhibition, which 99.32% peak was reached for ethanol 70% pitanga extracts. It was also observed great positive correlation between phenolic content and DPPH activity (0.97 for acerola), anthocyanin (0.95 for jambolan) and α- glycosidase inhibition (0.98 for acerola). The α-glycosidase inhibition also correlated well with the antioxidant activity for all fruit extracts. The results show that these dried fruit wastes are valuable material for further applications as functional ingredients

Análise técnica e econômica do processo de obtenção de espaguetes com adição de farinha de trigo integral e farinha de linhaça

This work studies the fabrication of spaghetti through the process at high temperatures through the use of flour added to flour and flaxseed meal, with the aim of evaluating the final product quality and estimate the cost of production. The values of moisture, ash, protein, wet gluten, gluten index, falling number and grain of flour and mixtures to test to be the possible use in mass manufacturing and technological criteria for compliance with current legislation. Spaghetti noodles type were manufactured by adding 10% and 20% flour and 10% and 20% flaxseed meal with performance of physical-chemical, sensory and rheological properties of the products. Further analysis was performed on the product acceptance and estimation of production cost in order to create subsidies to enable the introduction of products with greater acceptance and economic viability in the market by the food industry. On the rheology of the product test was cooking the pasta, specifying the volume increase, cooking time and percentage of solid waste. In the sensory evaluation was carried out the triangular test of product differentiation with 50 trained judges and acceptance testing by a hedonic scale with evaluation of the aspects color, taste, smell and texture. In defining the sensory profile of the product was performed with ADQ 9 judges recruited and trained at the factory, using unstructured scale of 9 cm, assessing the attributes of flavor of wheat, flax flavor, consistency, texture of raw pasta, raw pasta color and color of cooked pasta. The greater acceptance of product quality was good and the pasta with 20% flour, 10% followed by the full product, 10% and 20% flaxseed characterized the average quality of the criterion of loss analysis of solids, together with mass full commercial testing. In assessing the estimated cost of production, the two products more technologically feasible and acceptable (20% whole and 10% flaxseed) were evaluated in high temperature processes. With total cost of R $ 4,872.5 / 1,000 kg and R $ 5,354.9 / 1,000 kg respectively, the difference was related to the addition of lower inputs and higher added value in the market, flour and flaxseed meal. The comparative analysis of cases was confirmed the reduction in production time (10h), more uniform product to the drying process at high temperature compared to conventional

Diagnóstico regional do processo de queijo coalho comercializado em Natal/RN

Coalho cheese is a typical product of the Northeastern Brazil, which is consumed both raw and cooked. The present work aimed to study the characteristics of artisanal and industrial processes in the production of coalho cheese sold in Natal / RN in order to evaluate its quality and consumer s profile. Four artisanal cheeses plants were monitored and a questionnaire was sent to different cheese industries. Besides this, eight cheese samples (four artisanal and four industrial) were evaluated in regard to the microbiological quality, physical-chemical and sensory attributes. The sensory acceptance was evaluated by using 108 non-trained panelists by using the hedonic scale. The consumer s profile survey was applied to 400 consumers of coalho cheese. The lack of hygiene control was detected at the artisanal cheese production, which uses raw milk as its raw material. Research has shown that the industrialized cheeses are made from pasteurized milk provided by their own production or by a third party, as observed in cheese making dairies. In general, the results indicate variation in the manufacturing process of coalho cheese, which results in the lack of product standardization. Regarding the physical-chemical analysis, most artisanal and industrial samples presented moisture content between 36 and 40 %, classified as medium moisture cheese, which is the only parameter that showed no significant difference (p>0.05). However, the water activity (Aw), pH and acidity results differed significantly. All artisanal samples showed coliform contamination at 35 °C, which confirms the poor hygienic conditions. In regard to coliforms at 45 °C, 75 % of artisanal coalho cheese samples had value higher than 103 MPN / g, a value above the lawful limits determined by RDC nº 12. Fifty percent of industrial coalho cheese samples showed coagulase-positive Staphylococcus values above the limit allowed by the RDC nº 12, indicating poor handling. The sensory evaluation revealed that the taste was the only parameter that showed significant difference, and this difference was only between two industrial brands. The consumer s survey showed that the coalho cheese flavor is the most important reason for buying this kind of cheese. Although coalho cheese is mainly bought in supermarkets, open street markets and country shops are still important selling points. It is concluded that there is no coalho cheese standardization in the RN state, which leads to variations in physical-chemical and sensory attributes. Moreover, it is necessary greater hygiene control in the production and handling procedures of coalho cheese.