Efficacy of cold plasma-activated water as an environmentally friendly sanitizer in egg washing

Eggs in the United States are typically washed using chemical sanitizers such as quaternary ammonia (QA) or chlorine. Such treatments generate wash water, which could be potentially hazardous to the environment. A novel, nonthermal sanitization technique for washing shell eggs using cold plasma-activated water (PAW) was investigated in this study. The inactivation efficacy of PAW on Klebsiella michiganensis and the impact of PAW on the cuticle of the eggshell and shell strength were tested in comparison to QA. Washing inoculated eggs with PAW and QA achieved a similar microbial reduction (>5.28 log CFU/egg). Colorimetric analysis showed that SE-value for PAW treated eggs was significantly lower than QA-treated eggs, suggesting higher cuticle coverage in eggs treated with PAW. The texture analysis to test for shell egg strength indicated that washing eggs with PAW did not affect the structural integrity of the eggshell when compared to eggs washed with QA. According to this study, PAW has the potential as an alternative to commercial sanitizers like QA in the egg-washing industry. PAW does not detrimentally impact shell strength or cuticle coverage and provides similar microbial reduction efficacy.

Automated summary

This study investigated a novel nonthermal sanitization technique, cold plasma-activated water (PAW), for washing shell eggs. Washing inoculated eggs with PAW achieved a similar microbial reduction as quaternary ammonia (QA) and did not adversely affect the shell structure or cuticle coverage. According to the results, PAW has the potential to be an alternative to commercial sanitizers like QA in the egg-washing industry.