Effect of Storage Material and Time on the Internal and External Quality of Table Eggs

Abstract

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage time and storage material on the internal and external quality of table eggs, as well as comparing improved egg storage practice technologies with the local practices. The study was done in four different districts and included three treatments (T1=oil coated eggs stored in plastic only, T2=eggs stored in plastic with straw and T3=eggs stored in Zenbil with straw). About 240 eggs from Bovans Brown chickens laid after 4 hours was used and ten eggs were allocated to each of the three treatments, replicated eight times. Sunflower oil was used to coat the shell of the eggs in T2. Generally, eggs were stored for 16 days and 45 days. Therefore, at 45 days of storage, oil coated eggs were heavier than non-coated eggs. Similarly, coated eggs and eggs stored in plastic recorded higher haugh unit (HU) than eggs stored in Zenbil. Hence, eggs can be stored for 45 days at farmer management level in plastic containers with straw than local materials without affecting the internal and external quality.