Interior Quality Decline in Eggs Cartoned and Sealed in Plastic Bags

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of warm cartoning and subsequent sealing on the interior quality of shell eggs. In one trial, eggs from young layers (high initial egg quality) were used. In a second trial, eggs from older layers (low initial egg quality) were used. Both trials were conducted during hot weather. Eggs were (1) cooled for 24 hours prior to cartoning; (2) cartoned on day of lay and placed in the cooler, cartoned on day of lay, held at 23°C. and placed in the cooler either (3) one day later; or (4) two days later. In addition, one-half of the eggs in each treatment were sealed in plastic bags immediately after cartoning. Eggs cartoned warm and placed in the cooler, eggs cartoned, sealed and placed in the cooler up to two days later, and eggs cooled prior to cartoning did not differ in interior egg quality after a two-week storage period. Generally eggs which were not cooled on day of lay and were not sealed had a lower interior egg quality after two weeks of storage at 12°C. than those eggs cooled prior to cartoning or cartoned warm and sealed.