A combined approach using slightly acidic electrolyzed water and UV exposure to improve egg internal quality during storage

Effect of different concentrations of gellan gum with/without 0.50% basil essential oil on the physicochemical properties of gellan gum-rice bran oil coating emulsions and their application in egg preservation

This work investigated the effects of different concentrations (0.10 %, 0.15 % or 0.20 %, w/v) of gellan gum (GG) with/without 0.50 % (v/v) basil essential oil (BEO) on physicochemical properties of gellan gum-rice bran oil (GG-RBO) emulsions. The results showed that GG-RBO emulsions with 0.15 % or 0.20 % GG were more stable than GG-RBO emulsion with 0.10 % GG (as evidenced by higher apparent viscosity and absolute zeta potential, but smaller average particle size and lower turbidity), thus displaying better coating performances (as evidenced by bigger contact angle but lower moisture content). The presence of BEO further improved their stability and coating performances. Coating with GG-BRO or GG-RBO-BEO emulsion with 0.15 % GG significantly delayed the increase in weight loss, and the decrease in haugh unit, yolk index and albumen pH of eggs during 42 days storage; moreover, GG-RBO-BEO emulsion caused lower total aerobic plate count. Therefore, GG-RBO, especially GG-RBO-BEO emulsion has potential in egg preservation.

Effects of manual washing with three alkaline sterilizing agent solutions on egg quality during storage

This study aimed to investigate the abundance of microorganisms and quality of eggs washed with different washings (tap water, 0.03% calcium hypochlorite solution, 0.25% hydrogen peroxide solution, or 1% sodium percarbonate solution) and unwashed for 28-day storage. The results showed that the washing significantly decreased the abundance of microorganisms in all cases. Washing with one of the three alkaline sterilizing agent solutions significantly inhibited the deterioration of egg quality (evidenced by lower weight loss, air cell depth, albumen pH, yolk pH, and total volatile base nitrogen, but higher Haugh unit and yolk index) during storage, while washing with tap water showed opposite effects. The texture profile analysis and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy observation showed that all washings had slight negative effects on eggshell quality (eggshell breaking strength and microstructure), and washing with the alkaline sterilizing agent solution had no additional effects. The results might be attractive to egg preservation industry.

Potential Implications of Natural Antioxidants of Plant Origin on Oxidative Stability of Chicken Albumen during Storage: A Review

Enhanced albumen quality is reflected in increased thick albumen height, albumen weight, and Haugh unit value, while the antimicrobial, antioxidant, foaming, gelling, viscosity, and elasticity attributes are retained. Improved albumen quality is of benefit to consumers and to the food and health industries. Egg quality often declines during storage because eggs are highly perishable products and are most often not consumed immediately after oviposition. This review provides insights into albumen quality in terms of changes in albumen structure during storage, the influence of storage time and temperature, and the mitigation effects of natural dietary antioxidants of plant origin. During storage, albumen undergoes various physiochemical changes: loss of moisture and gaseous products through the shell pores and breakdown of carbonic acid, which induces albumen pH increases. High albumen pH acts as a catalyst for structural changes in albumen, including degradation of the β-ovomucin subunit and O-glycosidic bonds, collapse of the ovomucin-lysozyme complex, and decline in albumen protein–protein interactions. These culminate in declined albumen quality, characterized by the loss of albumen proteins, such as ovomucin, destabilized foaming and gelling capacity, decreased antimicrobial activity, albumen liquefaction, and reduced viscosity and elasticity. These changes and rates of albumen decline are more conspicuous at ambient temperature compared to low temperatures. Thus, albumen of poor quality due to the loss of functional and biological properties cannot be harnessed as a functional food, as an ingredient in food processing industries, and for its active compounds for drug creation in the health industry. The use of refrigerators, coatings, and thermal and non-thermal treatments to preserve albumen quality during storage are limited by huge financial costs, the skilled operations required, environmental pollution, and residue and toxicity effects. Nutritional interventions, including supplementation with natural antioxidants of plant origin in the diets of laying hens, have a promising potential as natural shelf-life extenders. Since they are safe, without residue effects, the bioactive compounds could be transferred to the egg. Natural antioxidants of plant origin have been found to increase albumen radical scavenging activity, increase the total antioxidant capacity of albumen, reduce the protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of albumen, and prevent oxidative damage to the magnum, thereby eliminating the transfer of toxins to the egg. These products are targeted towards attenuating oxidative species and inhibiting or slowing down the rates of lipid and protein peroxidation, thereby enhancing egg quality and extending the shelf life of albumen.

Research Trends on the Application of Electrolyzed Water in Food Preservation and Sanitation

Electrolyzed water (EW) has been proposed as a novel promising sanitizer and cleaner in recent years. It is an effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent that has several advantages of being on the spot, environmentally friendly, cheap, and safe for human beings. Therefore, EW has been applied widely in various fields, including agriculture, food sanitation, livestock management, medical disinfection, clinical, and other fields using antibacterial technology. Currently, EW has potential significance for high-risk settings in hospitals and other clinical facilities. The research focus has been shifted toward the application of slightly acidic EW as more effective with some supplemental chemical and physical treatment methods such as ultraviolet radiations and ultrasound. This review article summarizes the possible mechanism of action and highlights the latest research studies in antimicrobial applications.