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Antimicrobial lysozyme–chitosan coatings affect functional properties and shelf life of chicken eggs during storage

BACKGROUND The interior quality, shell impact strength and functional characteristics of eggs coated with chitosan and lysozyme-chitosan combinations were evaluated for enhancing egg freshness during storage. A 10% (w/w) lysozyme solution was incorporated into 1% (w/w) chitosan film-forming solution at ratios of 0, 10, 20 and 60% (w/w). RESULTS Storage time and coating had significant effects on Haugh unit, yolk index, weight loss, albumen pH, dry matter, relative whipping capacity (RWC) and albumen viscosity. Uncoated eggs had higher albumen pH and weight loss and lower albumen viscosity. All coated eggshells showed greater puncture strength than uncoated eggshells, resulting in extended shelf life. The 20 and 60% lysozyme-chitosan coatings were more effective in maintaining the internal quality of eggs (e.g. pH, dry matter and RWC). Attributes such as pH, dry matter and RWC were better after the 20% lysozyme-chitosan treatment than after the other treatments. CONCLUSION The 10, 20 and 60% lysozyme-chitosan coatings, considered active packaging, showed promising attributes. They could be a viable alternative to existing techniques for maintaining the internal quality of fresh eggs during long-term storage. Chitosan coatings also improved shell strength. This study also confirms that measurements of albumen quality (pH, dry matter, viscosity and RWC) are excellent indicators of egg freshness.

Role of Ozone Concentrations and Exposure Times in Extending Shelf Life of Strawberry

Efficiency of three aqueous ozone concentrations (0.075 ppm, 0.15 ppm, 0.25 ppm) and two exposure times (2 and 5 min) were investigated for maintaining strawberry quality. Exposure to 0.075 ppm and 0.15 ppm ozone delayed the changes in pH, total soluble solids, firmness and electrical conductivity. All ozone treatments prevented mold growth during storage. However, the 0.25 ppm ozone treatment caused loss of strawberry quality due to high ozone concentration. The results have shown that; low (0.075 ppm) and middle (0.15 ppm) ozone concentrations can be applied to extend the shelf-life of strawberries by at least 3 weeks under refrigerated conditions.

Maintaining functional properties of shell eggs by ultrasound treatment

BACKROUND Ultrasonic treatment is an emerging technique that could be an alternative to existing thermal processing techniques in foods. Ultrasonic treatments may also be used to extend the shelf life of egg during storage period in ambient temperature. The effectiveness of ultrasound treatment with different power levels (200 W, 300 W, 450 W) and treatment times (2 min and 5 min) was evaluated for enhancing the functional properties of eggs during storage at 24 ° C for 6 weeks. RESULTS Ultrasound treatment power and treatment time had significant effects on Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen pH, dry matter, relative whipping capacity, and albumen viscosity resulting in extended shelf life. Attributes such as yolk index, Haugh unit, pH, whipping capacity, dry matter for 300 W and 450 W treatments were better than control and 200 W treatments. Longer treatment time and power showed a significant influence on functional properties. CONCLUSION Power levels of 300 W and 450 W of ultrasound treatments had improved internal quality of fresh eggs during storage, but negative effect on shell strength. The study showed that ultrasound treatment could be an alternative and effective technique for maintaining the internal qualities of fresh eggs during long-term storage while Fourier transform near infrared spectroscopy could be used as a new tool for the assessment of freshness.

Ozone treatment of shell eggs to preserve functional quality and enhance shelf life during storage.

BACKROUND Eggs have long been recognised as a source of high-quality proteins. Many methods exist to extend shelf life of food and one of them is ozone treatment, which is an emerging technology for disinfecting surfaces in the food industry. This study aimed to extend the shelf life of fresh eggs using gaseous ozone treatments at concentrations of 2, 4 and 6 ppm with exposure times of 2 and 5 min during storage for 6 weeks at 24 °C. The effect of the treatments on interior quality and functional properties of eggs is also reported. RESULTS Ozone concentration and exposure time significantly affected the Haugh unit (HU), yolk index, albumen pH, relative whipping capacity (RWC), and albumen viscosity of eggs during the storage. Control eggs had the highest albumen pH and lowest albumen viscosity. Attributes such as albumen pH and RWC of eggs exposed to ozone treatments were better than the control samples. The measurement results showed that ozone concentration at 6 ppm and exposure time of 5 min can be applied to fresh eggs and extend shelf life up to 6 weeks at 24 °C storage period. CONCLUSION Ozone treatments helped to maintain egg quality for a longer time. Ozone concentrations at 2 and 4 ppm showed promising results in maintaining internal quality and functional properties of fresh eggs during storage. Ozone at high concentration (6 ppm) caused a detrimental effect on eggshell quality. As a result, this study demonstrated that ozone treatments of 2, and especially 4 and 6 ppm concentration maintained eggshell quality during the storage.