A combined approach using slightly acidic electrolyzed water spraying and chitosan and pectin coating on the quality of the egg cuticle, prevention of bacterial invasion, and extension of shelf life of eggs during storage

Abstract

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) is often used on eggs to remove microorganisms, but the cuticle will be damaged, causing bacterial invasion and deterioration of egg quality during preservation. Therefore, a combination of SAEW disinfection with chitosan (CS) and pectin (PT) composite coating (CS + PT) was tried in preventing bacterial invasion and prolonging the shelf life of eggs. The results showed the order of decontamination effectiveness on contaminated eggs was SAEW > Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) + SAEW > ERW > deionized water. The CS + PT coating used on SAEW-disinfected eggs inhibits the S. enteritidis invasion (reduced by 63.3%) and was successfully used to maintain the quality of eggs (Haugh unit 48.63, Weight loss 7.34%, Yolk index 0.29, pH 8.93) after 8 weeks storage at 25 ℃. The results revealed that the combination of SAEW and CS + PT was a very promising method for egg preservation.

Keywords: Chitosan; Egg; Pectin; Shelf life; Slightly acidic electrolyzed water.