Decontamination of shell-eggs with pulsed UV-light

Nene M. Keklik, Ali Demirci, Paul H. Patterson, Virendra M. Puri

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Currently, most methods used by the food industry to decontaminate shell-eggs involve washing the egg surface with various chemical solutions. In this study, the effectiveness of pulsed UV-light was evaluated for the decontamination of shell-eggs. Samples inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis on top surface on the equator were treated with pulsed UV-light for 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds at 9.5 and 14.5 cm from the UV-strobe in a chamber. An input voltage of 3,800 V was used to generate a 1.27 J/cm2/pulse of radiant energy at 1.5 cm below the lamp surface, producing a polychromatic radiation in the wavelength range of 100 to 1100 nm, with 54% of the energy being in the UV-light region. Log reductions in microbial population were determined after treatments. A maximum log10 reduction of 5.3 (CFU/cm2) was obtained after 20-s treatment at 9.5 cm without any visual damage to the egg. The temperature and total energy absorbed at each treatment condition was determined using a K-type thermocouple and a radiometer, respectively. Temperature and energy increased with higher treatment time and shorter distance from the UV-lamp. A maximum temperature increase of 10.5±1.6°C and a maximum energy of 35.3±0.1 J/cm2 were observed after 30-s treatment at 9.5 cm. This study demonstrated that pulsed UV-light has potential to decontaminate shell-egg surfaces.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2009, ASABE 2009
Pages1975-1984
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2009
EventAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2009 - Reno, NV, United States
Duration: Jun 21 2009Jun 24 2009

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2009, ASABE 2009
Volume3

Other

OtherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityReno, NV
Period6/21/096/24/09

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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