Tag - wash eggs

Egg washing

Previous studies have demonstrated that presence of water on the shell surface can undermine the egg’s physical defences. Water contaminated with significant amounts of iron or organic matter enters the egg and the egg’s chemical defences can be compromised. The main line of egg defence is the presence of the cuticle layer that plugs pores and prevents bacterial penetration taking place. Washing eggs can erode the cuticle however the incidence of internal contamination may be reduced significantly provided certain basic rules are followed. [...]