Influence of multilayer packaging and microfiltration process on milk shelf life

• Alternatives to increase milk shelf life in warm countries.
• Multilayer and monolayer packaging had the same effects on the shelf life of pasteurized milk.
• Monolayer packaging is economically more viable.
• 0.8 μm-microfiltered milk was stable during 30 d, even when stored at 14 °C.

As shelf life of pasteurized milk is relatively short the application of microfiltration was investigated as a way to increase milk shelf life. Raw milk was microfiltered and stored in bottles or pasteurized and stored in packages made from one of three different low density polyethylene (LDPE) multilayer films or a LDPE monolayer film. The results proved the efficiency of the 0.8 μm-microfiltration process in increasing shelf life of milk to at least 30 d with a reduction of the total microorganism count to a range of 5 log10. Specific properties of the various films led to different results concerning the barrier of the packages; however these differences did not have great influence on the shelf life of pasteurized milk. Evaluated packaging materials proved to provide sufficient protection to pasteurized milk and allow it to maintain its quality; therefore, the least expensive film may be chosen for use in commercial application.