Determination of some quality properties of traditional höşmerim cheese preserved with different packaging methods

In this study, the production of Höşmerim cheese, one of the traditional cheeses of Burdur province, and some of its quality characteristics during 90 days of storage in different packages were investigated. The cheeses were packaged in vacuum, non-vacuum polyethylene packaging, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) environments, and the chemical, biochemical, microbiological, taste profile, and sensory aspects of the product were examined over the shelf life. There were no significant differences in pH, dry matter, fat, fat in dry matter, salt, salt in dry matter, or protein contents across the experimental groups. However, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and yeast mould counts were greater in samples maintained in polyethylene packaging without vacuum than in samples stored with vacuum and MAP. The hydroxy methyl furfurol level of the brownish-yellow cheese was determined to be between 163.34-186.2 mol/L, and all sample values decreased during storage. According to the CIE colour system, the L* value varied from 47.44 to 48.82, the a* value from 9.65 to 10.34, and the b* value from 9.6 to 11.26. While there was no sensory change in the flavour or structure of the samples, the samples preserved with MAP showed a shift towards a white look on the surface after the 60th day. Höşmerim cheese may be stored in the refrigerator for 60 days as long as the packaging is not opened, after which mould development is seen. As a result, it was established that samples packaged using the vacuuming or MAP process may be preserved for a longer period of time.