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Hen eggs play a vital role in the human diet and their safety is critical to avoid the risk of foodborne illness for consumers. Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) generated via an electrospray system is a novel and nanotechnology-based technique, which can be utilized for inactivating bacteria. The primary objective of this work was to assess this technique's effectiveness as a chemical-free and non-thermal approach for decontaminating egg surfaces and investigate its potential as an alternative to the conventional method of washing eggs. The results showed that under EWNS operating conditions of 5 min of exposure time, 1 μL/min/needle of water flow rate, and 9.0 kV/cm of electric field strength, the highest inactivation efficiency of 97.6 and 80.4% were obtained for decontaminating egg surfaces contaminated by E. coli and Salmonella spp., respectively. Results also proved no significant difference in physical properties, chemical components, and eggshell cuticle coverage of EWNS-treated eggs compared to unwashed eggs. • Engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) produced from electro spray were used to decontaminate eggshell. • Representative pathogens on eggshell were decontaminated. • EWNS do not show any impact on physical and chemical properties of treated eggs. • A chemical-free surface decontamination method was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to bioaerosols in enclosed livestock facilities have been reported to pose health risks to workers and animals. Environment-friendly methods for reducing bioaerosol levels in enclosed animal production units could provide important environmental control options. In this study, laboratory-scale electrospray modules were developed to generate engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) to inactivate microbes. The EWNS were generated using three spray liquids (reverse osmosis (RO) water, saline water, and NaOH solution). The physicochemical properties (size, lifetime, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content) of the generated EWNS were characterised. Results showed that the average diameter of the EWNS droplets ranged from 40 to 45 nm. It was found that approximately 17% of the generated EWNS was still present after 4.5 h, and that the most predominant ROS generated was OH·. Furthermore, the efficacy of the generated EWNS in inactivating Escherichia coli was assessed under conditions relevant to livestock facilities. The electrospray modules were installed in an acrylic chamber, which was used to simulate the airspace in an animal barn. After 60-min treatment, reductions in E. coli concentrations inside the chamber were 69%, 64%, and 50% using RO water, saline water, and NaOH solution, respectively, at a ventilation rate of seven air changes per hour (ACH). At 15 ACH, the efficacy of the EWNS generated using RO water was 37%. The results show the potential of the EWNS technology as a microbial decontamination method for animal confinement buildings; however, in-barn tests are necessary before it can be fully implemented in commercial livestock barns. • An electrospray system was developed to generate nanosized EWNS. • The generated EWNS could remain airborne for hours. • The EWNS was found effective in inactivating Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]