@article{article_1521525, title={Effects of LLDPE/Clay Nanocomposite Films Including Bioactive Compounds on The Microbiological Quality of Fresh Kashar Cheese}, journal={Tekirdağ Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi}, volume={22}, pages={910–923}, year={2025}, DOI={10.33462/jotaf.1521525}, author={Törnük, Fatih and Kutlu, Gözde and Sağdıç, Osman and Hançer, Mehmet and Yetim, Hasan}, keywords={Halloysit kil nanotüpleri, Montmorillonit, Lineer düşük yoğunluklu polietilen, Esansiyel yağ, Kaşar peyniri}, abstract={This study aimed to investigate the effects of active clay nanocomposite packaging films based on linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) containing eugenol (EUG)/thymol (THY) or carvacrol (CRV) loaded layered montmorillonite (MMT) or tubular halloysite (HT) nanoclays on the natural microbial load (total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), total coliforms (TC), total lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and total yeast-mold (TYM)) of kashar cheese, as well as on the presence/growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger, along with pH values. The results showed that when prioritizing the packaging materials with the greatest impact on the microbial populations of kashar cheese, the order observed was as follows: THY-HNT for TMAB; EUG-MMT, CRV-HNT and THY-HNT for LAB; and CRV-HNT and THY-HNT for TYM. Moreover, S. aureus was not found in any of the kashar cheese samples. Furthermore, CRV-HNT and EUG-MMT films exhibited fungicidal properties throughout storage, leading to a decrease in mold spore counts, whereas THY-HNT films showed fungistatic effects. Additionally, CRV-HNT and THY-MMT packaging samples effectively limited growth of L. monocytogenes. As well, the pH values (5.15-5.52) of the cheese samples fluctuated during the storage period except for the control samples. Overall, active nanocomposite films had the potential to extend the shelf life of kashar cheese.}, number={4}, publisher={Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi}, organization={This work was supported by the Erciyes University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project No: FDK-2013-4235), Türkiye.}