Effect of an edible alginate coating with essential oil to improve the quality of a Fresh cheese

Abstract

This study focuses on an alginate edible coating with oregano and rosemary essential oils (EO) as well as its application in a Fresh cheese. The practical application was carried out by analyzing microbial contents, centesimal composition, texture (shear force) and instrumental color, sensory acceptance and mass loss. The coatings containing rosemary EO retained minimal numbers of Coliforms (35ºC) during storage; thus, a positive effect of the coatings on improving the microbiological cheese quality was observed. Sensorial results were satisfactory for all edible coating samples (Acceptance Index > 77%) highlighting the one with oregano essential oil, proving that this coating can be an alternative to improve technological parameters of Fresh Cheese quality.

Keywords

• minas frescal
• oregano essential oil
• rosemary essential oil
• sensorial quality
• sodium alginate.