The effects of polyethylene film coated with menthol and carvacrol on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of polyethylene (PE) films coated with menthol and carvacrol on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese. At first, PE films were coated with MC-HPMC solution containing different concentrations of menthol and carvacrol (0, 1, 1.5 and 2%), Mozzarella cheeses were then packed with these active films, and physicochemical, antimicrobial, and sensory properties of cheese treatments for 30 days storage in refrigerator were studied. The results showed that over time, the pH and moisture amount of all treatments significantly were decreased, whereas, the acidity and hardness amounts of cheeses were increased, but their exchange rate in control significantly was higher than other samples (p<0.05). Packaging of cheeses with active PE films leads to decrease the growth rate of mesophyll bacteria and molds and yeasts in cheeses. At the end of storage period, the lowest number of molds and yeasts and microbial load were for samples packed in films containing 2% menthol and carvacrol. From the point of E. coli and S. aureus contamination, the samples packed in active films were safe until the last day of storage (30th days), while control sample was incredible at 17th of storage. Packaging of Mozzarella cheese in PE films containing different levels of menthol and carvacrol also leads to improved sensory acceptance of cheeses during refrigerated storage. Finally, the results demonstrated that coated PE films with solutions containing menthol and carvacrol active components had a positive effect on the extension of the Mozzarella cheese shelf life, especially, at 2% concentration.