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SUMMARY: In eggs, the albumen and yolk undergo physicochemical changes during storage, which will decrease egg quality. Several factors can contribute to the loss of egg quality (such as temperature, humidity, duration of storage, thin eggshell, age of the flock). Coatings are a tool that can help maintain egg quality during long storage periods. The standard composition of egg coatings includes polysaccharides, lipids, proteins and polyols that can be used as plasticising substances and incorporated to induce flexibility in films. Glycerol is the most commonly used plasticiser in egg coatings due to its abundance and relatively low cost. However, other substances have demonstrated better results when added to coatings to extend the shelf life of eggs. Few studies have investigated the relationship between polyol plasticisers and the different bases for preparing coatings. Furthermore, little discussion exists about which levels should be incorporated into the egg-coating solution. The real impact of using polyols in egg coatings still has some gaps. This review gives an overview of the current use of polyols and trends in developing new egg coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the impact of chicken egg size, including surface area and initial weight, on the effectiveness of cassava starch-based gel coating during storage at room temperature. The quality of a total of 540 fresh eggs in four different sizes (S, M, L and XL) was evaluated over a 4-week storage period at 25 ± 1 °C (60–65% RH). In this research, images from a scanning electron microscope revealed that the coatings maintained their integrity across all egg sizes, effectively covering pores and cracks throughout storage. The application of gel coating reduced weight loss and preserved the Haugh unit and yolk index, extending freshness by 1–2 weeks compared with uncoated eggs at 25 °C. The results indicated that the performance of the coating varied with egg size. Statistical analysis revealed that the surface area and initial weight of the egg significantly impacted the effectiveness of the coating in preserving quality (p < 0.001). Eggs with larger surface areas exhibited a reduced protective effect of the coating, resulting in higher weight loss and lower retention of Haugh unit and yolk index compared with the coated eggs with smaller surface areas. The coating application was more effective in preserving the Haugh unit of eggs with higher initial weights. Overall, the surface area and the initial weight of the egg should be considered as key factors to ensure optimal coating performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are many factors and environmental conditions that affect the quality and capacity of eggs obtained from birds. The aim of this study was to make a comparison between the preservation of quail eggs and chicken eggs at temperatures of 8-10 °C and 18-20 °C. We used 20 eggs of chicken and 30 eggs of quail. Both categories were stored at two different temperatures (at a temperature of 8-10 ℃, and at a room temperature of 18-20 ℃). Each category of eggs was stored for 20 days, and 3 eggs were opened every 3 days. The parameters studied were: mass, protein diameter, protein height (H), yolk height (h), yolk diameter, protein index, yolk index, and Haugh unit. Statistical processing of practical results was performed using the SPSS data analysis package. When stored for 20 days at a temperature of 8-10 °C, quail eggs lost about 3–7% of their original weight. At a temperature of 18-20 °C, when stored for 20 days, quail eggs lost about 11% of their original weight. On the part of chicken eggs, regardless of temperature (8-10 °C or 18-20 °C), weight loss was almost the same, i.e., by about 3-6%. Chicken eggs at a temperature of 18-20 °C, the yolk height was not stable. Unlike chicken eggs, quail eggs, of course, decreased over time. In conclusion, quail eggs were characterized by a relatively long period of freshness preservation than those of chickens, and their three-week storage and temperature exhibited little effect on the deterioration of the quality of quail eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the impact of chicken egg size, including surface area and initial weight, on the effectiveness of cassava starch-based gel coating during storage at room temperature. The quality of a total of 540 fresh eggs in four different sizes (S, M, L and XL) was evaluated over a 4-week storage period at 25 ± 1 °C (60–65% RH). In this research, images from a scanning electron microscope revealed that the coatings maintained their integrity across all egg sizes, effectively covering pores and cracks throughout storage. The application of gel coating reduced weight loss and preserved the Haugh unit and yolk index, extending freshness by 1–2 weeks compared with uncoated eggs at 25 °C. The results indicated that the performance of the coating varied with egg size. Statistical analysis revealed that the surface area and initial weight of the egg significantly impacted the effectiveness of the coating in preserving quality (p < 0.001). Eggs with larger surface areas exhibited a reduced protective effect of the coating, resulting in higher weight loss and lower retention of Haugh unit and yolk index compared with the coated eggs with smaller surface areas. The coating application was more effective in preserving the Haugh unit of eggs with higher initial weights. Overall, the surface area and the initial weight of the egg should be considered as key factors to ensure optimal coating performance.

Summary: HA composite films were prepared using hyaluronic acid (HA) as a substrate with the addition of curcumin and cellulose nanofibre (CNF), and the application was evaluated by egg preservation tests at 25 °C and 70% humidity. The composite additives increased the thickness of both films. Compared to single HA film, 0.025% curcumin conferred the best antimicrobial properties, while CNF mainly controlled the viscosity, permeability and mechanical properties of the films. A 56‐day egg preservation test showed that the composite film with 0.5% HA addition, 0.025% each of curcumin and CNF, and a coating time of 2 min had the lowest weight loss of 13.88%. The final Haugh unit was 52.08, respectively, which exceeded the corresponding control values around Day 35 and extended the shelf life by at least 14 days. This indicates that the composite film at this concentration has the most significant effect on egg preservation and is important for postharvest food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the structural changes of chitosan- (C) shellac (S) bio-based emulsions induced by the incorporation of pine needle essential oil (PNEO) were investigated, in addition to, the effect of enhancements in physical, functional, and antibacterial properties of coatings on egg preservation. The ability of emulsion-based coatings to combine the structural strength of the hydrophilic phase with the hydrophobicity of the lipid was interpreted. Rheological analysis indicated that an appropriate amount of PNEO endowed the coating-forming emulsions (CFE) with proper viscosity and gel properties. The C-S-PNEO3 combined with 0.6 g PNEO had the optimal application and storage stability reflected by the lowest particle size and potential. SEM observed a flatter surface morphology of the coatings with the addition of 0.4 and 0.6 g PNEO, while XRD and FTIR also revealed that PNEO improved the biocompatibility by reducing the crystallinity of the coating, while hydrogen bonds were formed between chitosan, shellac. Furthermore, the physical properties of the coating, such as water vapor permeability (WVP), gas permeability, light transmittance, and color parameters were affected by the PNEO. The results showed that the uniform texture, excellent water vapor, oxygen, ultraviolet (UV) barrier performance, and bacteriostatic effect of the C-S-PNEO3 coating contributed to egg packaging. Highlights: PNEO incorporation affected the properties of emulsions as well as the properties of coatings. Coating-forming emulsions have good structural properties and storage stability. C-S-PNEO3 was endowed with strong barrier properties and antibacterial activity for eggs preservation. PNEO had good biocompatibility with C and S determined by XRD. Prepared bio-based emulsion coatings were an emerging egg packaging material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercially exploited ecoraces, Daba BiVoltine (DBV) and Daba TriVoltine (DTV) ecoraces of the Indian tropical Tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury pupae remain in diapause from November to Mid-June and from January to May, respectively. During the termination of facultative diapause and the initiation of moth emergence period due to temperature fluctuations, DBV and DTV moths emerge erratically and lay eggs. The eggs laid by these erratically emerged moths get wasted as these do not coincide with the brushing schedule and there is no valid egg preservation technology developed so far. In this scenario, a short-term Tasar egg preservation schedule of egg preservation at 15°C for 15 days with 03 days of post preservation duration is reported in this paper. The hatching performance of treated and control eggs were found on par. The preservation technology can be effectively utilized for utilization of the eggs laid by erratically emerged moths during Grainage operations thereby improving the productivity in Tasar seed sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface method (RSM) is a form of optimization based on the creation of an empirical model for evaluating the relationship between factor levels and the responses obtained therefrom. RSM is a multivariate analysis created by applying multiple regression and space geometry together. This optimization method can also be used as a preliminary stage of factorial experiments, since factor levels determine the optimum points before a factorial experiment. In this way, since the difference between the factor levels will be less, it provides more healthy results. In other words, optimization is used to increase the significance and sensitivity of factor levels.In this study, 130 table chicken eggs were divided into 9 groups according to their storage temperatures and percentages of coating gam arabic matter. Weight losses during the 28-day storage period of eggs were calculated. The eggs were weighed on the 7th day, the 14th day, the 21st day, and the 28th day. After the study was completed, the differences of the weights on the first day and 28th day were calculated. While applying RSM, Central Composite Design trial pattern was used. As a result of the analysis, optimum storage temperature and gam arabic composition were determined for egg storage with RSM. According to the results of the statistical analysis, at the end of the 4th week, it was determined that the optimum storage temperature and gum substance composition for the minimum egg weight loss (1.58 g) were 7.64-8.24 oC and 15%. When the results of the study and the results obtained from the analysis are compared, it is thought that RSM has obtained an intermediate dose estimation for the minimum egg weight loss in optimization of egg preservation conditions and this may be beneficial in the field of animal breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the approximately 75 known eggs of the extinct great auk (Pinguinus impennis) are in public museums, with a few in private collections. A small number of these eggs has sustained damage, either at the time of collection or subsequently, and two of these eggs are known to have been repaired. The two eggs suffered rather different types of damage and were subsequently restored using different techniques. The first, known as Bourman Labrey's egg, sustained extensive damage sometime prior to the 1840s, when the shell was broken into numerous pieces. This egg was repaired by William Yarrell in the 1840s, and when it was restored again in 2018, it was discovered that Yarrell's restoration had involved the use of an elaborate cardboard armature. This egg is currently in a private collection. The second egg, known as the Scarborough egg, bequeathed to the Scarborough Museum in 1877, was damaged (by unknown causes) and repaired, probably by the then curator at Scarborough, W. J. Clarke, in 1906. This egg was damaged when one or more pieces were broken adjacent to the blowhole at the narrow end (where there was some pre-existing damage). The media reports at the time exaggerated the extent of the damage, suggesting that the egg was broken almost in two. Possible reasons for this exaggeration are discussed. Recent examination using a black light and ultraviolet (UV) revealed that the eggshell had once borne the words, "a Penguin's Egg", that were subsequently removed by scraping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of coprolite taphonomy on parasite remains and aDNA recovery has been recognized. In general, coprolites from sites protected by geologic features such as caves and rock shelters exhibit the best preservation. In contrast, coprolites from open sites can be badly affected by taphonomic processes as shown by analyses of parasite eggs. For eggs, the impact of mites and free-living nematodes has been quantified. Mites are associated with poor pinworm egg preservation. In other studies, percolation of water through sediments has a negative impact on egg recovery. We note that dietary remains can also decompose at open sites. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we present examples of screened but chemically untreated microscopic remains. "Panorama" SEM images provide an excellent visual overview of the taphonomy of dietary remains. For this study, our focus is on Southwestern coprolites as a demonstration of diversity within a single region. Examples from caves and rock shelters were examined first to describe the taphonomic challenges for protected sites. Then, attention was turned to coprolites from open sites. In general, the challenges noted for parasite preservation are seen for other microfossils. However, the preservation of lignin, sporopollenin, calcium oxalate, and siliceous microfossils is generally better than cellulose structures. These observations are relevant to the selection process of samples for aDNA analysis and immunological study. This is especially relevant for the gut microbiome since decomposer fungi and bacteria molecular signals could be recovered in metagenomic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the influences of chitosan coating structure and structure changes during storage on egg preservation, eggs coated by chitosan solution for single time (CS1), two times (CS2), and three times (CS3) were prepared separately and stored with untreated eggs (CK1), eggs washed by water (CK2) and eggs treated by acetic acid solution (CK3) at 25 °C, 80% RH. The weight loss, Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen pH, eggshell morphologies and infrared (FTIR--Fourier Transform Infrared) spectra of all the samples were monitored. CS2 and CS3 presented the lowest weight loss, highest Haugh unit and yolk index, stabilized pH, and the highest thickness of chitosan coating layers (>2 μm) among all the groups, which extended egg shelf life for 20 days longer compared to CK1 and CK2. CS1 with very thin chitosan coating showed similar egg qualities with CK3, which are second only to CS2 and CS3. Furthermore, destructions were found on chitosan coatings during storage as revealed by the eggshell morphologies and FTIR spectra, which caused the quality deterioration of eggs. The results demonstrated that eggs with the thickest coating showed the best qualities during storage, while destructions on coating layers led to the quality drop of eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Despite intensive management to protect the federally threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus), breeding success in North Carolina has consistently been lower than in other Atlantic Coast states. The native ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) preys on plover eggs and chicks, but the effect of ghost crab predation on plover productivity has not been established. We used daily records of nest survival collected at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, USA from 2008 to 2015 to test a hypothesized negative relationship between the presence of ghost crabs within the 3‐m diameter nest exclosure and the daily nest survival of plovers. We detected ghost crabs or their burrows within the nest exclosure on 63 out of 2,347 nest visits (24 out of 94 nests, 25%). We determined 9 nests (9.6%) were depredated by ghost crabs and 2 nests were abandoned after ghost crab visits. The estimated daily survival rate (DSR) of plover nests decreased with nest age, so to compare the nesting success predicted by our model, we standardized age in the prediction as the age at mid‐incubation. At mid‐incubation (nest age = 19 days), the DSR of a nest found with evidence of ghost crabs was 0.92 (95% CI = 0.74–0.98), compared to DSR of nests without ghost crabs (0.99, 95% CI = 0.97–0.99). We tested other covariates (e.g., clutch size, breeding timing, daily weather conditions); however, the standardized effect size of the presence of ghost crab was more than twice that of all other covariates. Ghost crabs may have a previously under‐recognized effect on plover nest survival when avian and mammalian predation is precluded by nest exclosures. Protection of piping plover nests from ghost crabs may improve piping plover nest success. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg and poultry industry products are affected by the bacteriological quality of eggs. Contamination of edible contents of eggs with Salmonella may either lead to disease outbreaks in human or to weak/diseased hatched chicks. In order to obtain a baseline data on the occurrence of these bacteria in hen eggs in Cameroon, eggs were collected from layer farms in the West Region of Cameroon and examined for Salmonella contamination using standard bacteriological methods. A total of 140 table eggs from 20 flocks belonging to 19 layer farms were sampled. The mean age of the sampled farms and layers were 11.35 ± 10.30 years and 50.44 ± 23.07 weeks respectively. The flock size varied between 500 and 7000 layers. All the 19 sampled farms were positive for at least one Salmonella isolate. Three serovars were recorded in the flocks: S . Enteritidis present in nearly all the sampled flocks (19 out of 20) and on all the farms (19/19), S. Paratyphi present in 35% of sampled flocks (7 out of 20), and S . Typhimurium present in 30% of sampled flocks (6 out of 20). Over all, the prevalence of Salmonella in the sampled eggs was 88.6% (124 out of 140). The highest prevalence was obtained with S. Enteritidis (75.7%), followed by S . Paratyphi (8.6%) and finally S. Typhimurium (4.3%). S. Enteritidis was found to be the most widespread isolate, recorded in all the sampled localities. The occurrence of these zoonotic Salmonella serovars constitutes a big challenge for poultry and egg industry, and for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) were optimized and validated for 16 antibiotics belonging to three families (macrolides, quinolones, and sulfonamides) that were found in preserved eggs. Samples were extracted in 4 mL water and 10 mL acetonitrile with 1% acetic acid and subjected to a cleanup procedure using dispersive solid-phase extraction with C18 and primary secondary amine sorbents, prior to detection by UHPLC-MS/MS. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification to reduce the matrix effect with limits of quantification in the range of 0.3-3.0 μg/kg. Validation of the method was conducted by recovery and precision experiments. Recoveries of the spiked samples ranged from 73.8% to 127.4%, and the intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were lower than 21.2% and 22.3%, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of antibiotics in preserved egg samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the percentage of parents in one French center for the study and preservation of eggs and sperm who disclose their use of donated spermatozoa to their children.Design: A questionnaire survey of couples who had a child using donated spermatozoa.Setting: University hospital laboratory.Patient(s): One hundred five couples.Intervention(s): Questionnaire sent by mail.Main Outcome Measure(s): The percentage of parents who disclose their use of donated spermatozoa to their child.Result(s): Among the 157 questionnaires sent, 105 couples answered, which corresponded to 138 children. There were 40 (38%) couples who had already disclosed the donor origin to their child and 65 (62%) who had not. Of the 40 couples who disclosed the donor origin, 37 (93%) had intended to do so before making use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), but two (5%) had not wanted to do so before ART. Among the 65 couples who did not inform their child, 42 (65%) planned to inform their child soon, but 20 (31%) wanted to keep the sperm origin secret. Of the 20 couples who wanted to keep the origin secret, nine couples had told other persons about the gamete donation but had not informed their child and do not intend to inform their child in the future.Conclusion(s): This first report about disclosure attitude in a large cohort of parents of donor-conceived offspring in France showed that most parents had already disclosed their use of donated spermatozoa to their children or intended to disclose it soon and had an attitude after birth consistent with their intentions prior to ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silkworm eggs of selected polyvoltines were preserved/cold stored after 36h, 40h and 48h ol oviposition and developed the double refrigeration technique under tropical conditions. The eggs of different strains of Nistari (Chalsa, Balapur & Debra) and M12W breed were preserved at 5°C (1st step) for 10 to 20 days. After 1st step of preservation, the eggs were released to intermediate temperature (15°C) for 2 days and later followed the double step of preservation (2.5°C). Silkworm eggs with 20 days refrigeration at 5°C (single step) served as control. The relevance of refrigeration based on hatching has been assessed. Further it is inferred that 40h eggs can be double refrigerated for long term duration in the four lines/breeds studied. It is observed that 16lh stage of embryonic age of 40h of Debra and M12W have higher cold storage tolerance than the Chalsa (30 days) and Balapur strains (35 days). Young silkworm rearing was conducted to assess the larval loss and a loss of 3-5% larvae was recorded. Hence, silkworm eggs of multivoltines can be cold stored for a longer period by adopting a double step-refrigeration method. This preservation technology will be highly useful for Basic Seed Farms to postpone the hatching upto 40 days and in meeting the seed requirement during unfavourable season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is being used in the poultry industry to reduce energy usage in broiler production facilities. However, limited data are available comparing efficacy of different spectral distribution of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights (>3 kg). The present study evaluated the effects of color temperature (Kelvin) of LED bulbs on blood physiological variables of heavy broilers in 2 trials with 4 replicates/ trial. The study was a randomized complete block design. Four light treatments consisted of 3 LED light bulbs [2,700 K, (Warm-LED); 5,000 K, (Cool-LED-#1); 5,000 K, (Cool-LED-#2)] and incandescent light (ICD, standard) from 1 to 56 d age. A total of 960 1-dayold Ross × Ross 708 chicks (30 males/room 30 females/ room) were equally and randomly distributed among 16 environmentally controlled rooms at 50% RH. Each of the 4 treatments was represented by 4 rooms. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. All treatment groups were provided the same diet. Venous blood samples were collected on d 21, 28, 42, and 56 for immediate analysis of selected physiological variables and plasma collection. In comparison with ICD, Cool-LED-#1 had greater (P < 0.05) effects on pH, partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), partial pressure of O2 (pO2), saturated O2 (sO2), and K+. However, all these acid-base changes remained within the normal venous acid-base homeostasis and physiological ranges. In addition, no effect of treatments was observed on HCO3-, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (McHc), osmolality, and anion gap. Moreover, blood glucose concentrations were not affected by treatments. This study shows that the 3 LED light bulbs evaluated in this study may be suitable for replacement of ICD light sources in commercial poultry facilities to reduce energy cost and optimize production efficiency without inducing physiological stress on broilers grown to heavy weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify inhibitors for lysinoalanine formation in preserved egg, sulfhydryl compounds (glutathione, Lcysteine), carbohydrates (sucrose, D-glucose, maltose), organic acids (L-ascorbic acid, citric acid, DL-malic acid, lactic acid), and sodium sulfite were individually added at different concentrations to a pickling solution to prepare preserved eggs. Lysinoalanine formation as an index of these 10 substances was determined. Results indicate that glutathione, D-glucose, maltose, L-ascorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and sodium sulfite all effectively diminished lysinoalanine formation in preserved egg albumen and yolk. When 40 and 80 mmol/L of sodium sulfite, citric acid, L-ascorbic acid, and D-glucose were individually added into the pickling solution, the inhibition rates of lysinoalanine in the produced preserved egg albumen and yolk were higher. However, the attempt of minimizing lysinoalanine formation was combined with the premise of ensuring preserved eggs quality. Moreover, the addition of 40 and 80 mmol/L of sodium sulfite, 40 and 80 mmol/L of D-glucose, 40 mmol/L of citric acid, and 40 mmol/L of L-ascorbic acid was optimal to produce preserved eggs. The corresponding inhibition rates of lysinoalanine in the albumen were approximately 76.3% to 76.5%, 67.6% to 67.8%, 74.6%, and 74.6%, and the corresponding inhibition rates of lysinoalanine in the yolk were about 68.7% to 69.7%, 50.6% to 51.8%, 70.4%, and 57.8%. It was concluded that sodium sulfite, D-glucose,L-ascorbic, and citric acid at suitable concentrations can be used to control the formation of lysinoalanine during preserved egg processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preserved eggs are people's favorite tradition food. In recent years, lead content of preserved eggs exceed national standard. Lead can damage various tissue organs. Long term eating of high lead content food will induce chronic cumulative poisoning Therefore; lead content measure is related to human health. In food measure, preprocessing of sampling is an important process. Measure of lead content can increase the guarantee of preserved eggs quality and ensure the national fame of traditional food of China. This paper discusses the influence study of food safety to food culture based on the experiment of lead content measure of preserved eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research focused on the influence exerted by the storage conditions of table eggs on their physical quality traits. Four groups of eggs were set up (150 eggs/group), submitted to storage throughout 40 days, under different microclimate parameters (Lc=4°C and 90% relative moisture- RM; L-1=10°C and 80% RM; L-2 =15°C and 70% RM; L-3=25-30°C and 45% RM). At the end of the storage period, the lowest proportions of physical parameters depreciations were observed after refrigeration (Lc group) (1.11% for the weight; 1.17% for the specific gravity; 4.61% for the albumen index; 7.88% for the yolk index and 3.95% for the Haugh index. In the other groups, which simulated the storage conditions used by eggs marketers, freshness lost was directly proportional with the provided parameters values; thus, after 40 days of storage, the physical traits presented lower values, compared to the fresh eggs: 1.91-4.49% for the weight, 1.98-4.45% for the specific gravity, 14.13-49.91% for the albumen index, 19.86-50.9% lower for the yolk index and 12.84- 26.59% for the Haugh index. The achieved results certify that the storage of table eggs must be carried under refrigeration conditions, at +4°C and 90% relative moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been proved that pulsed light (PL) technology could effectively inactivate bacteria on egg surface. However, shelf life research on eggs after PL inactivation was limited. In this study, the decontamination effect of PL and interior quality of eggs during storage were investigated. In the decontamination study, shell eggs were inoculated with Escherichia coli ATCC 8879 strain and treated by PL for different intensities and pulse numbers. In the shelf life study, the non-inoculated eggs were treated by 4 procedures: untreated, PL treated, washing + vaseline coating and PL + vaseline coating. The interior qualities of the eggs were evaluated every week during storage at 25 °C for 6 weeks. The results revealed that maximum of 3.77 log CFU/egg of E. coli inactivation was achieved at PL fluence of 1.32 J/cm2 without causing significant effect (P > 0.05) on the temperature of the eggs. As storage time increased, the overall Haugh unit value and yolk index decreased, the albumen pH and weight loss increased. PL didn't affect albumen quality and there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between washing + coating and PL + coating in the interior quality of eggs. These results demonstrate that PL has promising potential for surface decontamination of whole shell eggs as a possible industrial application. • Pulsed light (PL) could effectively inactivate E. coli on eggshell. • PL decontamination did not affect albumen quality. • Combined PL and coating could maintain eggs' interior quality during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hatchability characteristics and some internal egg quality characteristics of 0, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 d stored Fayoumi eggs were examined. It was determined that the effect of storage time on hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs, embryonic mortality, hatchling weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit was significant (P<0.05). There was no positive or negative effect of storage time on the fertility rates, but there was a negative effect of storage time on egg weight, hatchability, embryonic development and hatchling weight on d 4 (P<0.05). It was determined that prolonged storage time caused a decrease in the albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit value of Fayoumi eggs. Fayoumi eggs should not be stored more than 3 d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the Israel National Bioethics Council (INBC) issued recommendations permitting egg freezing to prevent both disease- and age-related fertility decline. The INBC report forms the basis of Israel's new policy, being one of the first countries to regulate and authorise egg freezing for what it considers to be non-medical (ie, social) uses. The ethical discussion in the INBC report is reviewed and compared with the scant ethical discourse in the academic literature on egg freezing as a means of preventing age-related loss of fertility. We argue that both the INBC recommendations and the bioethical academic discourse on egg freezing are grounded in liberal ideology, which views technology as primarily enabling. Accordingly, they promote 'individual autonomy' as exercised through informed consent. Our study suggests that a relational approach to autonomy may be a more suitable model for considering women's choices about egg freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was performed in 2011 in the breeder farm of the Hybrid Poultry Centre at the Institute of agriculture - Stara Zagora in order to determine the effect of the different preincubation storage periods on hatchability traits of turkey eggs and the changes in egg components. Eggs from light layer (LL) line of turkeys at the age of 38 weeks used as maternal side for turkey-broilers production were used. They were divided into the following groups: eggs stored for 14, 10, and 4 days as well as fresh eggs (without storage). The storage of eggs took place in an egg storehouse with constant air temperature and humidity (17°C and 72%). The loss of weight during the storage increased as the storage duration prolonged (ᵖ<0.001). During incubation, the highest weight loss percentage was exhibited by eggs stored for 10 days (14.29%) that was statistically significantly (ᵖ<0.001) different from weight loss of fresh eggs. which lost weight. The highest fertility (92.42%) was noted in fresh eggs. A very high early embryonic death rate was observed in eggs stored for 14 days (13.63%). The hatchability of fertile eggs was the highest in fresh eggs (90.77%) and the lowest in eggs stored for 14 days (71.45%) (ᵖ<0.001). The albumen percentage of total egg weight was the highest in fresh eggs (59.09%). The albumen pH increased with the storage duration and was the highest in eggs stored for 14 days (9.25). Albumen's height decreased as storage duration became longer. For incubation to be use turkeys eggs from LL line stored at least time at 72% humidity and 17°C, because hatchability decreases with increasing duration of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viscosity values of albumen reported in the literature are difficult to compare because different shear rates and different methods of sample preparation have been adopted. Therefore, we first investigated the effect of shear rate on the viscosity measurements of thick albumen. For intact albumen, a large intersample fluctuation in viscosity with increasing shear rate was observed. Furthermore, a large hysteresis effect was observed, indicating that the structural properties were substantially altered by the rotational behavior of the rotor. From this, we concluded that to obtain reliable measurements, the albumen needed to be mixed. After mixing, a smooth evolution in viscosity with increasing shear rate was observed. Compared with intact albumen, the hysteresis effect was smaller but still present. We next investigated the correlation between albumen viscosity and Haugh units. For this, we compared the viscosity of fresh eggs with the viscosity of eggs stored for 24 d at a temperature of 18°C. The Haugh units were first determined, and the viscosity was next determined on mixed albumen at a shear rate of 200 rad/s. Mean viscosity equaled 0.0304 and 0.0181 Pa/s for fresh eggs and eggs stored for 24 d, respectively. The decrease in viscosity during storage was significant (α = 0.05). Furthermore, we observed that the correlation between Haugh units and viscosity measured on the same egg was low. Fresh eggs having comparable Haugh units differed substantially in their measured viscosities, whereas for stored eggs, the Haugh units differed substantially but the viscosities were comparable. It is unlikely that the very large variation in rheological properties observed among fresh eggs reflects the natural variation in albumen freshness present after lay. Results suggest that these differences were partly due to the structural changes caused by albumen sampling and by the turning motion of the rotor. We conclude that determination of the rheological properties of albumen is practically infeasible and that albumen viscosity cannot be used as an index for albumen freshness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in oil exudation and histological structures of salted duck egg yolks during brining up to 5 wk were investigated. During brining, the salt contents of albumen, exterior yolk (hardened portion), and interior yolk (soft or liquid portion) gradually increased accompanied by slight decreases in moisture content. The hardening ratio of salted egg yolks increased rapidly to about 60% during the first week of brining and then reached 100% at the end of brining. After brining, part of the lipids in salted egg yolk became free due to the structural changes of low-density lipoprotein induced by dehydration and increase of salt content, and more free lipids in salted egg yolk were released after the cooking process. With the brining time increased up to 5 wk, the outer region of the cooked salted yolk gradually changed into dark brown, brown, orange, and then dark brown, whereas the center region changed into light yellow, yellow, dark yellow, and then yellow again. The microstructures of cooked salted egg yolks showed that the yolk spheres in the outer and middle regions retained their original shape, with some shrinking and being packed more loosely when brining time increased, and the exuded oil filled the space between the spheres. Furthermore, the yolk spheres in the center region transformed to a round shape but still showed granulation after 4 wk of brining, whereas they were mostly disrupted after 2 to 5 wk of brining. One of the most important characteristics of cooked salted egg yolks, gritty texture, contributed to oil exudation and granulated yolk spheres were observed at the brining time of 4 wk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes to population and community structure can have important ecological consequences and raise conservation concerns when causes are anthropogenic; however, signs of stress may not always be apparent. Turtles are long-lived and presence of adults may suggest healthy populations when lack of recruitment is actually threatening persistence. We observed and captured turtles for two years in Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada, and compared our results with those collected 30 years earlier to determine if (1) species relative abundance, (2) sex ratios, and (3) age structure changed over three decades. Extirpation of the spotted turtle since 1972–1973 has altered the park’s species assemblage. Evidence also suggests that Blanding’s turtles have declined. Sex ratios were similar between time periods for all species except for the painted turtle which has become significantly more male-biased. Size structure for Blanding’s and snapping turtles shifted towards larger and presumably older age classes. Our results suggest that limited juvenile recruitment caused the size shift. Heavy predation on turtle nests from a dense raccoon population appears to be the main factor limiting recruitment. Despite protecting a sizable fragment of turtle habitat for a century, Point Pelee has lost one species and only one other species has a large healthy population. Our study illustrates that habitat protection provides no guarantee for species persistence when multiple threats exist and highlights the necessity for monitoring populations of long-lived species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Despite the development of several recent PCR assays for the egg stages of various trichostrongyles, there have been no protocols described for preserving field samples for PCR without refrigeration. In this study, Lugol''s iodine (LI), sodium azide (SA), and neutral buffered formalin (NBF) were evaluated using Haemonchus contortus eggs to determine their potential as a preservative for trichostrongyle egg samples to be processed with real-time PCR. When egg recovery, embryo development, and egg morphology were evaluated from fecal samples preserved with LI, NBF, and SA, there was equally good recovery and preservation for the first month. Preserved eggs were detectable for 1 month, but after 6 months, none could be recovered. When real-time PCR analysis was performed on eggs isolated from faeces preserved with LI and SA, there was no detectable inhibition compared to fresh, non-preserved eggs; however, NBF significantly inhibited amplification. The results from this study demonstrate that for PCR applications LI and SA are effective preservatives for H. contortus eggs, resulting in good preservation of morphology while allowing for uninhibited PCR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copepods have proven to be an ideal source of live food for the production of marine fish larvae in aquaculture. Therefore, there is a need to develop new methods for production and storage of copepod eggs that can be hatched and used at fish farms. In the present study quiescent eggs of Acartia tonsa were stored for periods up to 35 weeks at different temperatures, salinities and oxygen conditions in a full factorial experiment. None of these storage conditions seemed to induce diapause in eggs even though this has been reported by other authors. The most promising storage conditions were those involving low temperature (<5°C), medium salinity (10–20 ppt) and anoxia. The practical aspects of these results for aquaculture are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the affects of storage period and egg weight on the hatchability of 314 ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. Eggs were stored at 20°C and 65% RH before incubation at the Poultry Research, Teaching and Extension Center at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX). Eggs were classed by storage period (≤5, »5 ≤10, »10 ≤ 15, or »15 « 24 d) and egg weight (≤1,450, »1,450 ≤ 1,650, or »1,650 g) to determine the influence of storage period and egg weight on hatchability, egg weight loss, incubation period, and absolute and relative chick weights. Eggs were incubated at 36.5 to 37.0°C and 25% RH through 38 d of incubation and 36°C and 30% RH thereafter. Mean egg weight loss was greater from eggs of the longest storage period group (»15 « 24 d) at 21 or 38 d when compared with eggs of the shorter storage periods, but there were no differences at 7, 14, or 28 d among all storage period groups. Mean hatchability was higher in eggs stored ≤10 d than eggs stored »15 « 24 d, but hatchability of eggs stored »10 ≤ 15 d was not different from eggs stored ≤10 d or »15 « 24 d. Incubation period was longer, and absolute and relative weights were higher in eggs stored »15 d than was observed in eggs stored ≤15 d. Negative correlations were detected between egg weight and moisture loss at 38 d (-0.55) and between hatch time and moisture loss (-0.25). Hatchability was higher in small eggs than medium eggs (≤1,650 g). A positive correlation was observed between chick and egg weights (0.84). The results indicated that storage period and egg weight affected egg weight loss. Our results suggested that the most effective storage period was less than 15 d to maintain hatchability for ostrich eggs when incubated at 36.5 to 37.0°C with 25% RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The gross morphology of blastoderms in fresh unstored ostrich eggs and in eggs subjected to different regimen of storage and incubation was studied. Then the effects of storage duration of eggs (1, 2 and 3 weeks) and storage temperature (15, 20 and 25°C) on blastoderm and embryo development were investigated. 2. Only incubation following overnight storage at 18°C advanced blastoderm development (1·5-fold increase in diameter) to a stage comparable to hypoblast. 3. Storage of eggs at 15 or 20°C did not affect blastoderm stage and size whereas, at 25°C, the blastoderm doubled in size and appeared to have advanced to a primitive streak stage. Embryo development was reduced after 2 weeks of storage regardless of the storage temperature. 4. After oviposition and during pre-incubation storage the ostrich blastoderm develops progressively over time in a temperature-dependent manner towards the hypoblast stage and beyond but the viability of the blastoderm and embryo development is seriously compromised by 2 weeks of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a technique of egg preservation for studying disease caused by proteins.

The article discusses the Kemp conservation program for recovering ridley sea turtle in Mexico. There are more than 40,000 of ridley turtle nests recorded in 1947 at the beach of Rancho Nuevo in Tamaulipas. In 1985, biologists had counted a record low 702 nests. This new nests record indicates that the number of nesting females in the beach had declined to a record fewer than 300. According to biologists, one of the reasons for the decline was the commercialization of turtle eggs, which are presented as one of the people's favorite delicacies. So far, biologists and volunteers have successfully protected 11,900 nests at Rancho Nuevo. They also supervised the movement of the hatchlings to the sea.

Internal quality of eggs coated with chitosans prepared under various deproteinization (DP at 0, 5, 15 min) and demineralization (DM at 0, 10, 20, 30 min) times was evaluated. Chitosans prepared under DP 0 min/DM 30 min, DP 5 min/DM 30 min, and/or DP 15 min/DM 20 min conditions can be effectively used as an egg-coating material in preserving the internal quality of eggs compared with chitosan prepared under the DP 15 min/DM 30 min condition. The Haugh unit and yolk index values suggested that the chitosan-coated eggs can be preserved for at least 2 wk longer than the control noncoated eggs during 5 wk of storage at 25°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]