SHELL EGG SANITATION - UV-RADIATION AND EGG ROTATION TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE POPULATIONS OF AEROBES, YEASTS, AND MOLDS

The intensity of UV radiation (254 nm) and egg rotation were examined for their effect on aerobic microorganisms, yeast, and mold on egg she ll surfaces. Aerobic microorganisms, yeast, and mold populations were significantly reduced by UV treatments at 1,720 mu W/cm(2). Eggs rotat ed at 1 revolution per min under 1,720 mu W/cm(2) of UV light had sign ificantly reduced populations of aerobic microorganisms. Higher intens ity (4,350 mu W/cm(2)) with egg rotation also significantly decreased aerobic microorganism populations. Eggs treated with rotation and 15 m in of 4,350 mu W/cm(2) of UV radiation had significantly lower populat ions of aerobic microorganisms than eggs without rotation. Eggs rotate d and exposed to 15 min of 4,350 mu W/cm(2) of UV were compared to egg s dipped in 200 ppm chlorine-treated water solution for 1 min, exposed to 3 x formaldehyde fumigation for 20 min, sprayed with commercial sa nitizer (Bioguard(R)) for 3 min, and eggs receiving no treatment. Eggs treated with UV radiation had significantly higher populations of aer obic microorganisms than eggs from other treatments but significantly lower bacterial populations than the control group. Mold and yeast pop ulations of UV-treated eggs were significantly lower than the untreate d eggs. The results of this study indicate that UV radiation can signi ficantly reduce aerobic microorganisms, yeast and molds on egg shell s urfaces.