Storage of Shell Eggs Influences the Albumen Gelling Properties

Abstract

Eggs from hens at 42 and 65 wk of age, respectively, were stored for time and temperature combinations of 0, 7, 10, and 14 d at 4, 12, 20, 28, and 37 °C in two experiments. The egg albumen was analysed for raw albumen quality parameters and dry matter content. Albumen gels prepared at either 85 °C or 90 °C were analysed for the textural properties corrected stress σ and Hencky strain ε at fracture point, σfandεf , respectively, by uniaxial compression. The denaturation temperature, TD, of ovalbumin in albumen samples was analysed by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, and related to standards of N-ovalbumin and S-ovalbumin. Fresh egg albumen was characterised by the formation of gritty gels of poor water-holding capacity with lowσf and εfvalues. The stress and strain of gels at fracture were maximal after 14 d at 4 °C, and ε correlated significantly with ovalbumin TDfor gels prepared at 85 and 90 °C. The grouping of egg albumen samples with respect to the form of ovalbumin present (N-, intermediate, or S-) correlated with the egg mass loss during storage. Within the study, the storage temperature was more determining for the conversion of N-ovalbumin into S-ovalbumin than storage time.