Polyethylene films coated by commercially available polyvinyldichloride (PVdC) as well as nitrocellulose (NC) lacquer with addition of natamycin preparation Delvocid (R) (16.7% w/w of natamycin in lacquer) were studied at 6 and 23 degrees C to determine the preservative migration into distilled water. The films released natamycin at maximal level 2.34 +/- 0.32 mg/dm(2). The diffusion coefficient of 0.79 x 10(-10) +/- 0.29 x 10(-10) cm(2)/s and 1.03 x 10(-10) +/- 0.17 x 10(-10) cm(2)/s was determined for natamycin transport in PVdC lacquer layer at 6 and 23 C, respectively. For nitrocellulose lacquer the diffusion coefficient of 0.89 x 10(-10) +/- 0.16 x 10(-10) cm(2)/s was found at 23 degrees C. The coextruded polyamide/polyethylene film coated with the PVdC lacquer containing both nisin (16.7% w/w of preparation Nisaplin (R)) and natamycin (see above) provided inhibitory effect against selected indicator microorganisms (Penicillium expansion, Fusarium culmorum. Lactobacillus helveticus, Listeria ivanovii). This film was unsuitable for the packaging of the surface ripened cheese Olomoucke tvaruzky. On the other hand, it was able to prevent the growth of spoilage microorganisms on the surface of the packaged soft cheese Blatacke zlato. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.