The impact on shelf life of Tulum cheese of modified atmosphere packaging

Tulum cheese is one of the most important conventional fermented dairy products produced in Türkiye. In this study, the effects of modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological, physicochemical, sensory properties, and shelf life of Tulum cheese were investigated. For this aim, Tulum cheese samples were divided into four groups (B=100% CO2, C =100% N2, D=70% N2+30% CO2, E=75% N2+25% CO2), and the control samples were packaged in the air (A). These samples stored at 4±1°C were analyzed for the microbiological, chemical, and sensory on days 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240. TMAB, LLP, lactic streptococcus, lipolytic microorganisms, proteolytic microorganisms, and yeast-mold counts increased while the counts of coliform group bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococcus aureus continually decreased in all groups during the storage. During the storage period, the E. coli and sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacteria counts were detected below detectable levels (