Qualitative variations on Calabrian Provola cheeses stored under different packaging conditions.
Calabrian Provola cheese, an Italian typical dairy product, is commonly sold unwrapped with an expiry date of 45 d. The influence of different packagings and subsequent storage at 4 and 7 °C on maintaining cheese quality and prolonging its shelf life was evaluated. The following packaging systems were used: Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch under vacuum; Polyethylene/Polyethylene terephthalate lid over a Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyvinyl Chloride + Polyvinyl alcohol thermoformed tray; Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch. Concerning the two last systems, cheeses were packaged in a modified atmosphere (70:30 N2:CO2). All studied packaging prolonged Calabrian Provola cheese shelf life to 65 d. In particular, the packaging in modified atmosphere with Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch preserved Provola cheeses best, not only showing a decrease of the original total microbial count but also showing the lowest peroxide value and hardness at both temperatures of storage. The results of this study will help local Italian firms to expand their business in more distant markets.
Department of AGRARIA,University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria,89124 Vito,Reggio Calabria,Italy.
Amalia
A
Piscopo
Department of AGRARIA,University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria,89124 Vito,Reggio Calabria,Italy.
Angela
A
Zappia
Department of AGRARIA,University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria,89124 Vito,Reggio Calabria,Italy.
Alessandra
A
de Bruno
Department of AGRARIA,University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria,89124 Vito,Reggio Calabria,Italy.
Marco
M
Poiana
D000818:Animals; D001272:Atmosphere; D002417:Cattle; D002611:Cheese / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D061353:Food Storage / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D005740:Gases
Calabrian Provola cheese; modified atmosphere packaging; quality