Characterization and application of active polyethylene films incorporated with thymol and linalool on mozzarella cheese preservation

The aim of this study was to prepare an active film based on polyethylene containing thymol and linalool (%0, 1, 1.5, 2) and use it as packaging in mozzarella cheese. For this purpose, the mechanical and barrier properties of the polyethylene films containing thymol and linalool were analyzed. The results showed that the use of thymol and linalool did not significantly reduce the oxygen permeability of the polyethylene film(p < 0.05). Water vapour permeability was significantly decreased by incorporating linalool and thymol ( 1.5, 2%). Tensile strength and elongation at break were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in polyethylene films containing thymol and linalool than in the control sample. Results show that mozzarella packed with polyethylene films containing thymol and linalool had higher pH and lower acidity than the control sample. The sensory analysis results revealed that coated cheese with polyethylene composed of linalool(1.5%) and thymol 2% was the most attention by panellists compared with others. Based on the results,  films containing thymol and linalool improved the chemical and sensory properties of mozzarella cheese. Therefore, films treated with thymol and linalool can act as active packaging.