The efficacy of pulsed ultraviolet light processing for table and hatching eggs

Abstract

In the United States, every year an average of 287.1 eggs are consumed per person, and over 14.1 billion eggs are set in hatchery incubators to produce chicks destined for the egg and meat bird industries. By reducing the microbial load on eggs, food-borne–associated outbreaks can be reduced while good chick health is maintained. Pulsed ultraviolet ( PUV ) light system delivers an energy-intense broad spectrum (100–1,100 nm) pulse derived from a xenon flashlamp. In recent years, PUV light has been shown to reduce microbial pathogens on the surface of shell eggs by using a static PUV light system. In this study, shell eggs were surface inoculated with Escherichia coli or Enterococcus faecium and treated with PUV light using a modified egg candling conveyor that provided complete rotation of eggs under a flashlamp. Pulsed UV light treatment inactivated both microbial strains, with greater energy resulting in a greater germicidal response ( P < 0.05). Treatments of 1.0, 2.4, 3.1, and 4.9 J/cm 2 resulted in microbial reductions (Log 10 CFU/cm 2 ) of 3.83, 4.26, 4.28, and 4.62 for E. coli and 2.04, 3.12, 3.11, and 3.82 for E. faecium , respectively. This study also evaluated the effects of PUV light treatment of hatching eggs (commercial Leghorn hybrids) on both embryo and chick growth parameters. Using the same system, 4 replicates of 125 fertile eggs per rep were treated with 0 (control), 4.9, 24.4, or 48.8 J/cm 2 of PUV light. After processing, eggs were placed in a commercial incubator under normal incubation conditions. There was no significant effect of the PUV light treatment on percent fertility, hatchability, or hatch ( P > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant effects on posthatch observations, including livability and average bird weight at hatch or at 42 d of age ( P > 0.05). In conclusion, this study supports the application of PUV light as an effective antimicrobial intervention for both table and hatching eggs.

Effects of ultraviolet and ultrasound treatments applied before the storage period on egg quality characteristics

“…The temperature, humidity and storage time of the environment during storage are among the effective factors in the formation of these changes. In order to reduce the negative effects of these factors, studies on the effects of processes that do not require heat (Sert et al (2011); Caner and Yüceer (2014); Mehdizadeh et al, 2015;Melo et al 2019;Cassar et al 2021).…”

“…In the researches, various methods were applied after the eggs were collected in order to preserve the quality characteristics of the eggs and to extend the shelf life. Some of these methods are; coating of eggs with various substances (zein (Caner and Yüceer, 2015), soy proteins (Xie et al, 2002), mineral oils (Jirangrad et al, 2010, chitosan (Bhale et al, 2003)) and ultraviolet applications (UV) (Mehdizadeh et al, 2015;Melo et al 2019;Cassar et al 2021).…”

Nonthermal Sterilization of Animal-based Foods by Intense Pulsed Light Treatment

“…Microbes were applied to the surface of eggshells, and the sterilization effect was examined by IPL treatment with different fluences ( Table 3 ). The target microorganisms were E. coli , Salmonella , L. monocytogenes , and Enterococcus faecium ( Cassar et al., 2021a ; Hierro et al, 2009 ; Holck et al, 2018 ; Keklik et al, 2010a ; Lasagabaster et al, 2011 ). Depending on the treatment conditions, E. coli was reduced by 1.6–3.7 Log, Salmonella by 0.7–3.5 Log, and Salmonella enterica by 1.3–7.8 Log ( Hierro et al, 2012 ; Holck et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Furthermore, it was reported that IPL treatment did not affect the structural or quality characteristics of the cuticle and internal contents of eggshells ( Holck et al., 2018 ; Keklik et al, 2010a ; Lasagabaster et al, 2011 ). In addition, it has been reported that there was no difference between IPL treated egg and untreated egg when they were hatched and grown into chicks ( Cassar et al, 2021a ).…”

Monitoring and Controlling Temperature Egg Incubator Prototype Based LoRa Communication

“…Chicken as a type of poultry in the livestock industry is generally divided laying hens and broilers [7], [8]. Companies with a focus on laying hens or broilers can choose or even carry out both cultivation and breeding processes [9], [10]. Badan Pusat Statitik (BPS) noted that the chicken farming industry in Indonesia consists of 397 companies with 20,414 workers with an income of 15.92 trillion.…”