Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Characteristics of Sliced Kashar Cheese

Abstract

The present work describes the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on quality characteristics and shelf life extension of the Kashar cheese using physicochemical, microbiological, color and sensory analyses. Three different modified atmosphere conditions were studied (20% carbon dioxide [CO(2)]/80% nitrogen [N(2)], 40% CO(2)/60% N(2) and 100% CO(2)). Control cheeses were packaged in air. In the cheeses, the predominant short-chain fatty acid was lauric acid, the most abundant medium-chain fatty acid was palmitic acid and long-chain fatty acid was oleic acid. Microbiological results showed that 100% CO(2) was the most effective treatment inhibiting the growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (Plate Count Agar) and yeasts-molds (Potato Dextrose Agar) until the end of storage period. Generally, sensory scores were significantly affected by both storage period and MAP treatment, but the gas composition with 40% and 100% CO(2) had similar impact on the cheese samples at the end of storage period.