Prediction of Egg Freshness and Albumen Quality Using Visible/Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Important changes occur in egg during storage leading to loss of quality. Prediction of these changes is critical in order to monitor egg quality and freshness. The aim of this research was to evaluate application of visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a rapid and non-destructive technique for egg quality assessment. Three hundred and sixty intact white-shelled eggs freshly laid by the same flock of hens fed with a standard feed were obtained. They were put under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity (T = 18 °C and RH = 55%) for 16 days of storage. Forty eggs were analyzed at day 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. Transmission spectral data was obtained in the range from 350 to 2,500 nm. The non-destructive spectral data was compared to egg sample’s Haugh unit (HU) and albumen pH in terms of quality and to the number of storage days in terms of freshness. A partial least squares predictive model was developed and used to link the destructive assessment methods and the number of storage days with the spectral data. The correlation coefficient between the measured and predicted values of HU, albumen pH, and number of storage days were up to 0.94, R ² was up to 0.90 and the root mean square error values for the validation were 5.05, 0.06, and 1.65, respectively. These results showed that VIS/NIR transmission spectroscopy is a good tool for assessment of egg freshness and albumen pH and can be used as a non-destructive method for the prediction of HU, albumen pH, and number of storage days. In addition, the relevant information about these parameters was in the VIS and NIR ranging from 411 to 1,729 nm.     

Effect of various refrigeration temperatures on quality of shell eggs

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of low storage temperatures on shell egg quality. RESULTS: Approximately 2100 shell eggs were collected and stored at ? 1.1, 0.6, 2.2, 3.9, 5.6 and 7.2 °C for up to 4 weeks. Eighteen eggs at each storage temperature were evaluated after 0, 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage. Haugh units (HU), yolk index (YI), albumen pH (pHA), yolk pH (pHY) and angel food cake density (CD) were measured. Shell egg quality tended to be preserved better at below 2.2 °C, as high HU and YI values relative to eggs stored at 7.2 °C were determined on day 28. However, storage at ? 1.1 °C tended to cause the opposite effect, especially highly declined HU values over time. Significantly different HU values of shell eggs were measured after 14 days of storage, with eggs stored at 0.6 and 2.2 °C having the highest HU values, 80.42 and 77.97 respectively. CONCLUSION: A lower temperature limit for shell egg storage could be established between 0.6 and 2.2 °C, as both temperatures showed the highest HU values, 77.88 and 77.60 respectively, after 28 days of storage. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

贮藏期鸡蛋新鲜度指标与S-卵白蛋白含量的相关关系

为了系统地研究鸡蛋新鲜度变化与S-卵白蛋白含量之间的关系,明确贮藏期间各鸡蛋品质参数对S-卵白蛋白形成的影响程度,本实验选取当日产新鲜海兰褐壳鸡蛋为研究对象,考察了鸡蛋哈夫值、蛋黄指数、pH值等指标与S-卵白蛋白含量的相关性,分析了各鸡蛋品质参数与S-卵白蛋白含量的灰色关联度,并以S-卵白蛋白含量为自变量建立了等价蛋龄预测模型。结果表明：鸡蛋哈夫值与S-卵白蛋白含量之间存在极显著负相关关系（R＝－0.913,P＜0.01）,其中S-卵白蛋白含量与蛋质量之间存在极显著负相关关系（R＝－0.367,P＜0.01）,与浓蛋白高度存在极显著负相关关系（R＝－0.905,P＜0.01）;蛋黄指数与S-卵白蛋白含量之间存在极显著负相关关系（R＝－0.900,P＜0.01）;pH值与S-卵白蛋白含量间存在极显著正相关关系（R＝0.648,P＜0.01）;此外,各品质因素与S-卵白蛋白含量的综合灰色关联度均大于0.6,且pH值是影响S-卵白蛋白含量变化的主导因素（灰色关联度为0.742）。建立的多项式回归等价蛋龄预测模型的决定系数为R2＝0.986 81（P＜0.01）,模型可靠性高。     

贮藏温度-时间变化对壳蛋新鲜度影响研究

该文以新鲜罗曼粉壳蛋为研究对象,研究5个贮藏温度-时间变化组壳蛋新鲜度指标变化,分别于0、10、20、30 d检测所有实验组壳蛋失重率、气室高度、哈夫单位、蛋黄指数、浓稀蛋白比、蛋清pH。结果表明,贮藏期间壳蛋失重率、气室高度和蛋清pH显著升高（P<0.05）,哈夫单位、蛋黄指数和浓稀蛋白比显著下降（P<0.05）。贮藏20 d时,处理组5壳蛋哈夫单位和蛋黄指数显著高于（P<0.05）对照组1、处理组1、处理组2和处理组3,而失重率、气室高度、蛋清pH较低（P<0.05）。贮藏30 d时,处理组5壳蛋失重率和气室高度显著低于对照组1、处理组1和处理组3（P<0.05）,蛋黄指数显著高于对照组1、处理组2、处理组3、处理组4（P<0.05）。除失重率、哈夫单位外,对照组2与处理组5壳蛋新鲜度指标整体差别不大。因此,除了壳蛋自身品质外,需要尽可能延长低温（4 ℃）贮藏时间,延缓壳蛋新鲜度指标劣变。     

鸡蛋内部品质与其呼吸强度的关系

贮藏期鸡蛋品质的变化与呼吸作用息息相关,为了进一步明确鸡蛋内部品质与其呼吸强度之间的关系,本研究选取同一品种的鸡蛋作为实验样本,利用呼吸测定仪测定鸡蛋的二氧化碳呼吸强度,通过SPSS 19.0软件分别分析鸡蛋哈夫单位、蛋白高度、pH值、黏度、蛋黄指数、蛋黄比例以及蛋黄色度与呼吸强度间的关系。结果表明：鸡蛋哈夫单位、蛋白高度及黏度与呼吸强度之间呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）;pH值与呼吸强度之间呈极显著负相关（P＜0.01）;蛋黄指数、蛋黄色度与呼吸强度之间呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）;而蛋黄比例与呼吸强度间相关性较小;此外,pH值与黏度、蛋黄指数、蛋黄色度间均存在极显著负相关（P＜0.01）;黏度与蛋黄指数、蛋黄色度之间呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）;蛋黄比例与其他参数相关性较小。总之,在鸡蛋内部品质参数中,鸡蛋哈夫单位、蛋白高度、蛋黄指数、pH值、黏度及蛋黄色度对呼吸强度影响较大。     

Visible transmission spectroscopy for the assessment of egg freshness

The objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of visible transmission spectroscopy for the non‐destructive assessment of the freshness of an individual egg. A total of 600 intact white‐shelled eggs of the same flock (Lohmann, 40 weeks of age) were measured. To obtain a considerable variation in freshness, groups consisting of 60 eggs were stored (18 °C, 55% RH) for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 days. The non‐destructive spectral measurements were compared with the two most widely used destructive freshness parameters, namely Haugh units and albumen pH. A partial least squares (PLS1) model was built in order to predict Haugh units and pH of the albumen based on the transmission spectra. The correlation coefficients between the predicted value and the measured value were 0.842 and 0.867 for Haugh unit and pH of the albumen, respectively. These results show that the light transmission spectrum of an egg provides quantitative information about egg freshness. Relevant information concerning egg freshness is restricted to the interval between 570 and 750 nm. Furthermore, the models obtained for both destructive parameters were strikingly similar, indicating that Haugh unit and pH have the same physico‐chemical background. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

贮藏温度变化对壳蛋新鲜度的影响

该文以新鲜罗曼粉壳蛋为研究对象,研究4个贮藏温度变化处理组壳蛋新鲜度指标的变化,分别于0、10、20、30 d检测所有实验组壳蛋失重率、气室高度、哈夫单位、蛋黄指数、浓稀蛋白比和蛋清pH。结果表明,贮藏10～30 d,处理组2、处理组3、处理组4的失重率显著升高(P<0.05),而气室高度和浓稀蛋白比显著降低(P<0.05),除对照组外,所有处理组壳蛋pH呈现先升高后下降的趋势,处理组3和处理组4的蛋黄指数下降趋势更为明显。对照组和处理组1壳蛋的哈夫单位、蛋黄指数和浓稀蛋白比显著高于(P<0.05)处理组3和处理组4。在贮藏10～20 d时,处理组2的壳蛋pH显著高于(P<0.05)对照组和处理组1。因此,如果前10 d常温贮藏温度≥20℃时,引起壳蛋失重率的增加和哈夫单位的下降,与低温(4℃)贮藏相比,采用贮藏温度变化(常温-低温)贮藏壳蛋更容易引起壳蛋新鲜度指标的下降。     

Storage effects on dielectric properties of eggs from 10 to 1800 MHz

ABSTRACT:  The dielectric constant and loss factor of egg albumen and egg yolk over the frequency range from 10 to 1800 MHz were measured at 24 °C at weekly intervals during 5-wk storage at 15 °C. Moisture and ash contents of albumen and yolk, as well as Haugh unit and yolk index, were also measured. The dielectric constant and loss factor of albumen were higher than those of yolk. Linear relationships were evident between the log of frequency, below about 1000 MHz, and the log of loss factor of albumen as well as that of yolk. The dielectric constants of albumen and yolk at 10 MHz were lower than those of fresh albumen and yolk when eggs were stored at 15 °C for 1 wk. However, after 2 wk in storage these dielectric constants rose and remained at higher levels for the rest of the 5-wk period. At frequencies of 100 MHz and higher, the dielectric constant was essentially constant during the entire storage period. Storage had much less influence on the loss factor of either albumen or yolk. In general, the moisture content and ash content of albumen and yolk decreased slightly as eggs aged. The moisture content of yolk increased somewhat with storage, and there was a corresponding decrease in albumen moisture content. The freshness qualities, Haugh unit and yolk index, also decreased as eggs aged. No obvious correlation between dielectric properties and moisture content, ash content, Haugh unit, or yolk index was observed.     

鸡蛋新鲜度指标与贮藏天数相关性研究

目的 分析鸡蛋新鲜度指标与贮藏天数的相关性, 确定新鲜度指标数值显著变化的时间, 建立新鲜度与贮藏时间相关性模型。方法 2 d为一个时间点, 设立12个实验组, 每组5枚鸡蛋, 按照标准中鸡蛋新鲜度评定指标重复3次测定鸡蛋相对密度、气室高度、哈夫单位、蛋黄指数、pH值、失重率。根据Pearson相关系数评价贮藏天数与鸡蛋新鲜度各指标之间的相关程度, Duncan法评价贮藏天数与鸡蛋新鲜度各指标之间的差异显著程度。结果 鸡蛋新鲜度各指标与贮藏天数之间显著相关(P<0.05), 各新鲜度指标数值出现显著变化的时间各不相同, 各天数之间的鸡蛋失重量、失重率差异显著(P<0.05)。结论 本研究所建立的鸡蛋新鲜度与贮藏时间的相关性模型, 可作为鸡蛋新鲜度评价模型。     

The effects of ozone,ultrasound and coating with shellac and lysozyme–chitosan on fresh egg during storage at ambient temperature – part 1: interior quality changes

The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the effect of different treatments including gaseous ozone (6-ppm/4-min), ultrasound (450 W/4 min) and coating of shellac, lysozyme–chitosan (L-C) on fresh eggs internal quality during storage for six weeks at ambient temperature. The internal quality attributes such as weight loss (WL), albumen viscosity, Haugh unit (HU), yolk index, total soluble solids, albumen and yolk's pH were monitored. Control groups had the worst HU (50.04), WL (8.35%), albumen pH (9.27) and viscosity (7.72 mPa·s) values after storage. The best interior qualities were obtained by shellac coating [HU (72.37), WL (1.37) and viscosity (30.10 mPa·s)] and sonication (albumen pH: 8.22). Thus, the shellac-coated eggs maintained all the internal quality parameters at the highest values, while the ozone and ultrasound only helped to keep the internal quality and enhance the shelf life of eggs.     

Whey protein isolate coating and concentration effects on egg shelf life

The influences of three different concentrations (6, 12 and 18%) of whey protein isolate (WPI) coatings on shelf‐life enhancements of the fresh egg quality (weight loss, pH, Haugh unit, yolk index and colors) and the shelf life were evaluated at room temperature. All coated eggs showed lower weight loss than uncoated eggs. Less weight loss (2.46 for 12% WPI and 2.38 for 18% WPI) was observed in WPI‐coated eggs. Haugh units (HU) indicated that coated eggs remained in grade ‘A’ during 3 weeks storage period, whereas uncoated (UC) changed from grade ‘A’ to ‘B’ after 1 week of storage. The HU and yolk‐index (YI) values of all WPI‐coated eggs were significantly higher than those of UC. Among the coated eggs, there were no significant differences in HU, but 12 and 18% WPI coated had higher YI than WPI 6% coated and UC. The albumen pH of the UC eggs was significantly higher than that of coated eggs. Yolk lightness (L*) and (b*); shell (a*) and (b*) of coated eggs were not different from UC after 4 weeks. Performance of WPI coatings depended on the concentration up to 12% but not between 12 and 18%. Results also indicated that WPI coatings served as protective barrier for shelf life of the eggs. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

鸡蛋物流过程中品质变化规律研究

为明确鸡蛋物流过程中品质变化规律,建立了25℃与0℃下蛋黄系数、哈夫单位、鸡蛋质量随贮藏时间变化的数学模型,可据此确定不同贮藏时间鸡蛋的新鲜程度,预测货架期。针对鸡蛋出库后难以继续保存的问题,测定了温度波动下蛋黄系数、哈夫单位和蛋白pH随贮藏时间的变化,温度波动引起的结露加速了鸡蛋的品质下降,使货架期缩短。     

冷冻储存对鸡蛋理化性质及微观结构的影响

本文通过测定pH、粘度、回弹高度和结构的变化,表征了置于-20 ℃下,储存不同的时间的新鲜鸡蛋的全蛋、蛋清、蛋黄、熟蛋及熟蛋黄的性质变化。实验结果表明：在-20 ℃下,新鲜鸡蛋随储存时间的增加,煮熟的全蛋回弹高度变小,熟蛋黄的回弹高度增大,从5 h到36 h,熟蛋黄的回弹高度从提高了2倍到4倍;蛋黄、蛋清和全蛋的pH值和粘度均发生了明显的变化,且pH的变化在储存10 h后更为显著;储存10 h的蛋清、蛋黄结构开始发生变化,蛋黄在冷冻24 h后质地变得较为平滑、紧密,可清楚表现为形成凝胶,到冷冻36 h后达到不可逆的变化。因此：在-20 ℃下,储存10 h,新鲜鸡蛋的品质已经由合格品下降为不合格的次品。     

蜡乳液对鸡蛋的涂膜保鲜

试验采用不同的蜡乳液对鸡蛋涂膜保藏,以失重率和新鲜度为指标研究涂膜及温度对其保藏效果的影响;同时研究了贮藏期间蛋清pH值、微生物及感官变化.试验结果表明,同一温度下,涂膜组的失重率均低于对照组,且涂石蜡的失重率最低,而且新鲜度保持较好,可延长货架期;随着温度升高,失重率均逐渐增大,新鲜度降低程度也增大;蛋清pH值的变化趋势相同.在试验期间(35d),鸡蛋涂膜后,未发现有菌生长;温度和涂膜在鸡蛋贮藏中起到重要作用.     

运输后贮藏过程中鸡蛋品质变化的研究

本研究以罗曼粉鸡鸡蛋为原料,分别使用轿车、厢式货车进行实际运输实验,记录运输振动情况,测定运输后常温贮藏期间鸡蛋的失重率、哈夫单位、蛋黄指数、蛋清pH和蛋黄膜强度等指标,得到鸡蛋新鲜度变化情况。结果表明,运输振动强度方面,轿车车厢低于货车内部,货车内部振动强度由小至大分别是前下、前上、后下和后上,各位置垂直方向加速度均显著(P<0.05)强于水平方向。贮藏期间鸡蛋新鲜度不断下降,后上组哈夫单位下降最快,贮藏21 d时与对照组存在显著差异(P<0.05),实验组鸡蛋蛋黄膜强度显著(P<0.05)低于对照组。贮藏期间鸡蛋失重率上升,蛋黄指数下降,蛋清pH升高,但各组间差异均不明显。说明运输中的振动能够加速贮藏期间鸡蛋新鲜度的下降,且运输时振动强度越大,其对鸡蛋品质影响越大。本研究为今后深入探索振动对鸡蛋贮藏期间品质变化机理和禽蛋产业的发展提供参考。     

Plasticizer types and coating methods affect quality and shelf life of eggs coated with chitosan

ABSTRACT:  Effects of different plasticizer types (glycerol, propylene glycol, and sorbitol) and coating methods (brushing, dipping, and spraying) on the internal quality and shelf life of chitosan-coated eggs were evaluated during 5 wk of storage at 25 °C. The Haugh unit and yolk index values suggested that chitosan coating, irrespective of the plasticizer types, extended the shelf life of eggs by almost 3 wk at 25 °C compared with noncoated eggs. After 5 wk of storage, plasticizer types did not significantly affect the quality (weight loss, Haugh unit, and yolk index) of chitosan-coated eggs. However, there was an observable trend indicating that use of sorbitol rather than propylene glycol and glycerol as a plasticizer was better in reducing weight loss (whole egg) of chitosan-coated eggs during a 5-wk storage. After a 5-wk storage, there were no significant differences in weight loss and weight of albumen and yolk among chitosan-coated eggs, regardless of the coating methods. However, both brushing and dipping methods yielded chitosan-coated eggs with better yolk (higher yolk index values) and albumen (lower pH) qualities than did the spraying method. During 3 to 5 wk of storage, the Haugh unit values of chitosan-coated eggs by the brushing method were higher than or comparable to those by dipping or spraying. Therefore, coating of eggs with chitosan using sorbitol as a plasticizer and by the brushing method may offer a protective barrier in preserving the internal quality and thus extending shelf life of eggs.     

基于电子鼻的鸡蛋新鲜度检测

鸡蛋新鲜度检测十分重要,为实现无损检测鸡蛋新鲜度,该文利用电子鼻技术,通过挥发物的检测来尝试对20℃、70%RH贮藏条件下的鸡蛋新鲜度进行预测。并测量鸡蛋的理化指标(哈夫单位和蛋黄指数)作为新鲜度的衡量标准。通过线性判别分析对储藏不同天数的鸡蛋进行分类分析,发现线性判别分析能较好地区分不同储藏天数的鸡蛋,判别函数的总贡献率为75.70%;利用多元线性回归和BP神经网络分析法建立电子鼻响应信号和鸡蛋理化指标之间的关系模型,所建多元线性回归模型的相关系数达0.84以上,相对误差在8.00%左右;所建BP神经网络模型的相关系数达0.84以上,相对误差在9.00%左右。说明电子鼻技术对鸡蛋新鲜度具有一定的预测能力,该研究可为鸡蛋新鲜度的无损检测提供参考。     

A waveguide technique for non-destructive determination of egg quality parameters

The input of a waveguide probe for shell eggs was connected to a sinewave sweeper oscillator and the signal at the output was captured by a spectrum analyser. A first analysis was carried out in the range from 3 to 20 GHz with a span of 1 GHz to investigate which 1 GHz frequency range contains most information for predicting the main quality indices of eggs during 15 days of storage. Simple linear regression models were therefore set up and the coefficient of determination was calculated. The absorbance spectra in the range thus identified (from 10.5 to 11.5 GHz) were used to predict the quality indices by means of an artificial neural network (ANN). The R² values of the obtained ANN in validation mode were 0.918, 0.854 and 0.912 for the air cell, the thick albumen height and the yolk index, respectively. The correlations between the quality parameters and tests carried out on albumen, yolk and plastic eggs for simulating the air cell showed how one index can be indirectly predicted through another one.     

Chitosan coating minimises eggshell breakage and improves egg quality

The interior quality of eggs, shell impact strength, and consumer perception of eggs coated with chitosan containing an organic acid (acetic, lactic and propionic) were evaluated. Uncoated eggs had the highest albumen pH and lowest albumen viscosity. The viscosity of eggs coated with chitosan and lactic or propionic acids were the highest. Chitosan coating also improved shell strength with chitosan + lactic acid being the best coating in this regard. The colour of shell and yolk as measured by lightness (L*), a*, b*, chroma and hue of coated and uncoated eggs were not significantly different but the difference was detected in the colour of albumen, which is an effective indication of freshness and egg quality. Based on sensory evaluation, consumers could not differentiate coated eggs from uncoated eggs; thus the general acceptability of the coated eggs was the same as uncoated eggs. This study shows a great potential of using chitosan and lactic acid mixture as a coating material for egg coating to extend the shelf life. It has no effect on consumer acceptability of the product. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

油茶籽粕鸭蛋去污除菌清洗剂应用效果的研究

目的 研究油茶籽粕去污除菌清洗剂的应用效果。方法 分别用人工污染鸭蛋和鲜鸭蛋为试验材料, 采用油茶籽粕鸭蛋去污除菌清洗剂(CX)、氧净洗液(YX)、自来水(SX)进行清洗处理, 比较其白度提高率、重量减轻率、除菌率和蛋新鲜度品质指标, 并以未加清洗处理作为对照(CK), 进行去污除菌效果的评价。 结果 CX清洗人工污染蛋的感官评分(88±3)分、白度提高率(18.59±0.18)%、重量减轻率(0.44±0.03)%, 菌落总数仅有(3.87±0.32) lg CFU/蛋壳(除菌率99%), 其去污除菌效果优于CK和SX清洗。CX清洗鲜鸭蛋, 其白度提高率(14.568±4.309)%, 重量减轻率(0.6112±0.0032)%, 洁蛋清洗水培养物的OD660为0.178±0.0054。清洗后的鸭蛋其保藏期内气室高度、哈夫值单位、蛋黄指数指标均优于YX、SX。结论 本研究所用的油茶籽粕鸭蛋去污除菌清洗剂清洁效果强, 保鲜力度高, 可延长鸭蛋的货架期