Sample Code Microbial Counts (cfu/g) Total viable count Days of storage 0 6 12 18 24 28 32 34 36 38 40 45 P1 3.0×102 4.6×103 N.A - - - - - - - - - P2 2.5×102 9.5×102 5.5×103 6.3×103 7.0×103 N.A - - - - - - P3 2.0×102 8.5×102 1.9×103 3.0 ×103 5.5×103 N.A. - - - - - - P4 1.5×102 4.2×102 2.75×103 6.55×103 8.5×103 1.08×104 N.A. - - - - - P5 2.0×102 2.5×102 3.0×102 1.55×103 1.8×103 1.85×103 1.9×103 1.95×103 2.15×103 N.A - - P6 1.0×102 3.5×102 4.2 ×102 6.8 ×102 1.1×103 1.25×103 1.3 ×103 1.45×103 1.5 ×103 1.55×103 1.6×103 N.A. P7 1.0×102 4.0×102 5.5×102 7.5×102 9.5×102 1.1×103 1.25×103 1.4×103 1.55×103 1.95×103 2.75×103 N.A.

P1: Control (without coating & without packaging) P2: Uncoated + Polypropylene P3: Uncoated + LDPE P41: Uncoated + Laminate N.A.: Not Acceptable P5: Coated + Polypropylene P6: Coated + LDPE P7: Coated + Laminate

Table 3: Effect of coating and packaging materials on Total viable count of paneer during storage at 5 ± 1°C.