Fungi, Aflatoxins and Ochratoxins in Table Egg: Trials to control by Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water” SAEW” Treatment | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 03 November 2025 PDF (899.73 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejvs.2025.395544.2964 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Sally A Mahran1; Eman Kamal Hussein2; Zeinab A.M. ٍSayed-Ahmed* 3 | ||
| 1food hygiene researcher at Animal Health Research Institute | ||
| 2Food Hygiene Department, Alexandria Food Inspection Laboratory, Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agricultural Research Center(ARC), Egypt. | ||
| 3Food Hygiene, Alexandria Food Inspection Lab., Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI), Agriculture research Center (ARC), Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Egg is a well-balanced food due to its high nutritional content, low calories, and ease of digestion. A total of 125 table eggs (100 from farms, 25 from markets) and 10 poultry feed samples were collected from Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. Yeast and mold counts were determined in eggshell, egg contents, and feed; total aflatoxins and ochratoxins were determined in egg content and feed. Trails to reduce eggshell fungal contamination were carried out using dry brushing and wet brushing with Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water (SAEW) and their combined effect with refrigeration. Farm table eggs showed a mean yeast and mold count of 8.34 × 102 ± 1.97 × 102 cfu/eggshell (eggshell) and 5.33 × 102 ± 0.88 × 102 cfu/g (content), whereas market eggs exhibited higher contamination on shells 6.64 × 103 ± 5.59 × 103 cfu/eggshell but none in contents. All feed samples were contaminated, averaging 9.86 × 104 ± 3.41 × 104 cfu/g. Mycotoxins were not detected in all egg contents. However, aflatoxins and ochratoxins were found in 30% (1.53 ± 0.46 ppb) and 70% (2.33 ± 0.33 ppb) of feed samples, respectively with 10% of farms exceeded the PL permissible limit in ochratoxin. Dry brushing inhibited fungal growth on eggshell for 3 days at room temperature and with reduction rate 53.7% at the end of day 21 and this inhibition was extended to 14 days under refrigeration with reduction rate 56.7%. While SAEW wet brushing achieved complete fungal suppression for 3 days and 93.2% reduction by day 21at room temperature. At refrigeration the results were more promising as the complete inhibition of fungal growth reaches the day 14 and at the end of the trail at day 21 the reduction rate reaches 85.5%for wet brushing. Analysis of the samples revealed clear evidence of fungal contamination in both eggs and poultry feed. Notably, the eggshell harboured significantly more contamination compared to the internal egg content, which tested negative for both Aflatoxins and Ochratoxins. In contrast, poultry feed samples did contain these toxins. Evaluation of decontamination methods showed that mechanical brushing, particularly when combined with a SAEW (slightly acidic electrolyzed water) wetted brush, was highly effective. This technique not only demonstrated strong antifungal properties but also proved to be cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Additionally, storing eggs at low temperatures further enhanced the antifungal effect. Overall, the findings support the use of both dry brushing and SAEW brushing as practical, economical, and eco-friendly approaches to minimizing fungal contamination on eggshells, especially when paired with low-temperature storage. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Brushing; Eggs; SAEW (slightly acidic electrolyzed water); Fungi | ||
|
Statistics Article View: 2 PDF Download: 1 |
||
