Shell Porosity of Chicken Eggs: 1. CO2 Loss and CO2 Content of Infertile Eggs during Storage

Abstract

ABSTRACT IT HAS been reported by Atwood and Weakley (1924) as well as by Smith (1931) that infertile chicken eggs lose CO2 during storage. According to Smith (1931) the CO2 loss of individual eggs may begin at a rate of 9.0 mg. per day and gradually drop to 0.1–0.2 mg. per day, at which level it may continue for 100 days or more. Smith (1931) also found that the rate of CO2 loss depends on temperature. The CO2 content of fresh eggs has been determined by Mathieu and Urbain (1908) and Straub and Donck (1934). These investigators found that the albumen of fresh eggs contains approximately 55 mg. CO2 and that there is no CO2 in the yolk. Numerous experiments on storage of eggs at high CO2 concentrations as well as experiments on different methods of shell sealing have demonstrated the importance of CO2 with regard to maintenance of interior . . .