EGG AGE AND THE GROWTH OF SALMONELLA-ENTERITIDIS PT4 IN EGG CONTENTS

The growth of Salmonella enteritidis PT4 in albumen around an intact y olk was governed by the age of the egg on inoculation. In the majority of eggs, held at 20-degrees-C, the bacterium was unable to grow rapid ly until eggs had been stored for approximately 3 weeks. The multiplic ation of S. enteritidis in stored eggs appeared to be associated with alterations to the yolk membrane which allowed the bacterium to either invade the yolk or obtain nutrients from it. The rate at which egg co ntents change to permit the growth of S. enteritidis would appear to b e temperature related and took place more rapidly when eggs were store d under conditions where temperatures fluctuated and, on occasions, re ached 30-degrees-C.