Evaluation of whey protein concentrate coatings enriched with rosemary essential oil for enhancing the quality parameters and shelf life of white soft cheese

White soft cheese (WSC), a popular fresh dairy product in the Middle East, has a desirable texture and flavor but is highly perishable due to its high moisture and low acidity, which favor microbial growth. This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of rosemary essential oil (REO) and its incorporation into whey protein concentrate (WPC) coatings for WSC preservation. Bacterial contaminants isolated from local WSC samples included Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. , Streptococcus pyog