Key Findings
The TiO2@SiO2/chitosan coating significantly improves the preservation of eggs stored at room temperature for 49 days. Eggs treated with the water-based H2O-CS/TiO2@SiO2 formulation exhibited a weight loss of approximately 8.2%, whereas untreated control eggs lost approximately 10.8%. Furthermore, the coating maintained a Haugh unit of approximately 50.8 at day 49 and delayed changes in the yolk index and albumen pH.
Technical Details
The coating utilizes TiO2@SiO2 particles as inorganic structural modifiers to create a rough surface texture, achieving superhydrophobicity without fluorine-containing additives. Water-repellent performance was validated via static water contact angle measurements on coated glass:
- Pure chitosan coating: 82.2°
- Ethanol-based formulation (EtOH-CS/TiO2@SiO2): 163.8°
- Water-based formulation (H2O-CS/TiO2@SiO2): 171.5°
Microbial analysis at day 49 for the H2O-CS/TiO2@SiO2 group showed a total viable count of 157.6 ± 17.3 CFU per egg on the eggshell and 241.1 ± 25.6 CFU per egg in the yolk, indicating reduced contamination compared to untreated eggs. Regarding safety, the total Ti content in the edible portion of coated eggs was 0.94 ± 0.07 mg/kg, compared to 0.83 ± 0.08 mg/kg in the control group.
Background & Context
Eggs typically lose moisture, quality, and microbial safety rapidly when stored at room temperature. This research, published in Discover Food, sought to develop a sustainable, fluorine-free alternative to traditional hydrophobic coatings to slow this decline.
Significance & Outlook
The study demonstrates that a water-based, fluorine-free superhydrophobic coating can effectively maintain internal egg quality and reduce microbial risks during a 49-day storage period at 25 ± 1 °C. These findings provide a potential pathway for extending the shelf life of eggs in environments where refrigeration may be unavailable or impractical, although the results are limited to the specific conditions and duration tested.
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