RESUMO
Background: The utilization of chemical preservatives holds the promise of effectively controlling microbial growth in soft cheese. Aim: The first trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of lactobionic acid (LBA) and K-Sorbate in controlling the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and mold in white soft cheese. The subsequent part of the study explored the inhibitory effects of K-Sorbate, nisin, and LBA on mold populations in cheese whey. Methods: Two sets of soft cheese were produced. One set was contaminated with S. aureus, while the other was with E. coli, each at concentrations of 1 log CFU/ml and 1 log CFU/100 ml. Different concentrations of LBA were incorporated into these sets of cheese. Similar cheese samples were treated with K-Sorbate. For the subsequent part of the study, it was manufactured and divided into groups that inoculated with LBA with different concentrations, K-Sorbate, and nisin. Results: With higher S. aureus inoculation, by day 18, the positive control exhibited growth exceeding 5 log CFU/g. In contrast, the LBA treatment dropped below limit of detection (LOD) and K-Sorbate yielded 4.8 log CFU/g. While with lower S. aureus inoculation, the positive control reached log CFU/g, while LBA treatment fell below LOD by day 14, and K-Sorbate reached 2.9 log CFU/g. For E. coli inoculation, with higher concentrations, by day 18, the positive control exceeded 5 log CFU/g. Conversely, LBA treatment greatly decreased and K-Sorbate treatment measured 5.1 log CFU/g. With lower E. coli concentrations, the positive control surpassed 3 log CFU/g, yet LBA treatment dropped below LOD by day 3. Mold counts indicated some inhibition with the K-Sorbate treatment, while control groups showed growth. LBA treatments exhibit noticeable growth inhibition. About the other part of the study, the outcomes demonstrated that while growth of mold occurred in the control group, inhibitory effects were apparent in the treatment groups, and significant distinctions existed between K-Sorbate, nisin, LBA treatments, and the control group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that LBA has the potential to effectively control the growth of E. coli, S. aureus, and mold in soft cheese. Moreover, LBA displays greater preservative efficacy compared to K-Sorbate and nisin.