Oregano essential oil in panela-type cheese: its effects on physicochemical, texture and sensory parameters

Plant essential oils are increasingly used in the food industry for their antimicrobial, antioxidant and sensory properties. The effects of added oregano essential oil (OEO) in panela cheese (QP) production was evaluated on cheese physicochemical, textural and sensory properties during 15 day's storage. Two addition levels were used, resulting in three treatments: control with no OEO (QP1); 0.05 g OEO/ L milk (QP2); and 0.10 g OEO/L milk (QP3). In all treatments, cheese pH was highest (P<0.05) on d 1 and lowest on d 15, although it remained higher overall in QP1. Weight and weight loss did not differ between treatments. Color parameters differed minimally between treatments and over time, although increased OEO content pushed b* values towards yellow. Addition of OEO lowered cheese hardness and shear force values. Based on sensory parameters, consumer acceptance was highest (P<0.05) for the control treatment. Addition of OEO generally did not affect cheese physicochemical, textural and sensory characteristics during storage. It did slightly lower hardness and shear force values, and decreased consumer acceptance. If used at adequate levels, oregano essential oil can improve cheese performance during storage without substantially affecting quality parameters.