Quality and weight grades classification of stored commercial Table eggs marketed in supermarket and grocery stores in Riyadh city during winter and summer seasons according to GCC standard

Abstract

A total of 1440 eggs were obtained from two different marketing channels, four supermarkets and grocery stores located in different area of Riyadh city during summer and winter seasons of 2018/2019. Thirty eggs were collected from each marketing channel/ month during winter and summer seasons. Eggs collected from each marketing channel were numbered individually, weighed to the nearest 0.1 g. Thereafter, the eggs were randomly divided into three experimental groups of 30 eggs (replicates) each. The eggs in the different experimental groups were either immediately analyzed (Control, time zero), stored for 7 or 14 days in refrigerator at 4–6 °C and 40–60% relative humidity to simulate egg consumption pattern of Saudi Arabian's families. Egg weight, Haugh unit values, Albumin pH cleanness, and soundness grade percentages and egg price were determined for all individual eggs in each experimental groups at the end of storage period than egg quality and weight grades were classified according to GCC. The results indicated that seven and fourteen days of storage period led to a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease large egg weight, AA and A Haugh unit and albumin pH percentages grades, whereas moderate egg weight, B and C Haugh unit and albumin pH percentages grades increased with increased storage period. On other the hand, eggs purchased from supermarket stores had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher AA and A Haugh unit, albumin pH, moderate egg weight, broking of soundness grad percentage than those purchased from grocery stores. They also have lower B and C Haugh unit and albumin pH, very large, large and small egg weight, dirty of cleanness and cracked of soundness grades percentages than those obtained from grocery stores. Eggs obtained in winter season had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher AA and A. Haugh unit and albumin pH, large and large egg weight spots of dirt grades percentages but have lower B and C Haugh unit and pH and small weight grades percentages and egg price than those purchased in summer season. From the results reported herein, we conclude that storage period, marketing channel and season play a significant role in affecting quality traits of Table eggs marketed in Riyadh city. Table eggs purchased from supermarkets and in winter season showed better quality than those obtained from grocery stores and in summer season, respectively.