The aim of the study was to evaluate microbiological safety and sensory quality of ten different breakfast cereal products after the date of minimum durability. We analyzed various types of cereals, granolas, biscuits and oatmeals. The analyses were conducted at five different time points: halfway of the shelf life, at the end of the date od minimum durability and at 20%, 40% and 60% beyond the date od minimum durability. Microbiological safety was assessed by using quantitative and qualitative microbiological tests, while sensory quality was evaluated using the qualitative descriptive »Check-All-That-Apply« (CATA) method and a 20-point scoring system. By microbiological analyses, we monitored the presence of Salmonella spp., and the number of Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, anaerobic mesophilic bacteria, aerobic sporogenic bacteria, anaerobic sporogenic bacteria as well as yeasts and moulds. The results indicated that none of the tested samples exceeded the threshold values for pathogenic microorganisms, demonstrating that these products remain microbiologically safe even after the expiration of the minimum shelf life. Sensory analyses showed that the quality of the products changes over time. Oatmeal maintained of acceptable sensory quality for a longer period after the expiration of the minimum shelf life, while granolas and millet biscuits exhibited more pronounced changes in sensory profile more rapidly. Significant changes were primarily observed in odour and aroma. After the date of minimal durability, various off-notes such as stale odor, cardboardy and rancid odour and musty cardboard aroma were detected in different time periods. The measured water activity (aw) in all samples was below 0,6, which is under the treshold for the frowth of microorganisms, explaining the stable microbiological safety of these products. Additionally, the pH-values did not change significantly, indicating the stability of the physicochemical prperties of the products during storage. The study concluded that the the tested breakfast cereal products are microbiologically safe even after theri date of minimum durability. However, the sensory quality of some products, especially those with higher fat content and complex composition, significantly deteriorates.
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