694
Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 60, No.6, 1997, Pages 694-697
Copyright ©, Internalional Association 01 Milk, Food and Environmental
Shell Egg Sanitation: UV Radiation and Egg Rotation to
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Effectively Reduce Populations of Aerobes, Yeasts, and Molds
F.-L. KUO, S. C. RICKE, and J. B. CAREY*
Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
(MS# 96-146: Received 12 June 1996/Accepted
ABSTRACT
The intensity of UV radiation (254 nm) and egg rotation were
Journal of Food Protection 1997.60:694-697.
examined for their effect on aerobic microorganisms, yeast, and
mold on egg shell surfaces. Aerobic microorganisms, yeast, and
mold populations were significantly reduced by UV treatments at
1,720 flW/cm2• Eggs rotated at I revolution per min under 1,720
flW/cm2 of UV light had significantly reduced populations of
aerobic microorganisms. Higher intensity (4,350 flW /cm2) with egg
rotation also significantly decreased aerobic microorganism popu-
lations. Eggs treated with rotation and 15 min of 4,350 flW!cm2 of
UV radiation had significantly lower populations of aerobic
microorganisms than eggs without rotation. Eggs rotated and
exposed to 15 min of 4,350 flW /cm2 of UV were compared to eggs
dipped in 200 ppm chlorine-treated water solution for 1 min,
exposed to 3 X formaldehyde fumigation for 20 min, sprayed with
commercial sanitizer (Bioguard®) for 3 min, and eggs receiving no
treatment. Eggs treated with UV radiation had significantly higher
populations of aerobic microorganisms than eggs from other
treatments but significantly lower bacterial populations than the
control group. Mold and yeast populations of UV-treated eggs were
significantly lower than the untreated eggs. The results of this study
indicate that UV radiation can significantly reduce aerobic microor-
ganisms, yeast and molds on egg shell surfaces.
Key words: UV radiation, shell eggs, aerobic microorganisms,
molds, sanitation
Physical and chemical methods such as heat treatment,
gamma irradiation, and ethylene oxide treatment have been
shown to be effective disinfectants for a variety of materials
but may present problems when applied to egg processing.
Heat treatment can result in the loss of flavor compounds
(16), ethylene oxide treatment presents toxic residue prob-
lems (7), and the use of gamma irradiation has not received
wide public acceptance due to perceived safety concerns.
UV radiation has been widely used in treating water and
other liquids (21). Bachman (1) reported that UV light, like
* Author for correspondence: Tel: 409-845-4318;
E-mail: jcarey@pou1try.tamu.edu
Sanitarians
Research Note
21 October 1996)
gamma radiation, has germicidal properties and destroys
bacteria by degradation of the cell walls, Exposure to UV
radiation can induce abnormal ion flow, depolarize mem-
branes, increase membrane permeability, induce DNA,
RNA, and protein alterations, and inhibit oxidative phosphor-
ylation (18, 23), UV radiation also causes the formation of
thymine dimers on DNA strands, which is lethal to bacteria.
In addition, the use of UV radiation within an enclosed
environment appears to be a user- and environmentally safe
alternative (20).
Previous studies have shown that UV was effective in
sterilization of contact lenses (12), in reducing the bacterial
loads of circulating air during incubation and hatching (2,
20), in destroying bacteria on the surfaces of fish (13), meat
(14), and poultry without deleterious effects on color, flavor,
or general appearance (22,24), and in reducing the bacterial
loads contaminating eggshell surfaces (3, 9, 10, 15). How-
ever, little has been done to examine appropriate UV dosage
(time and intensity of exposure combination) and to maxi-
mize exposure of the entire egg surface. The need for
methods which can decrease the microbial loads to accept-
able levels and are economical for commercial application
has become apparent. An effective UV sanitation method
which is economical for industrial application would be
beneficial. The objectives of this study were to examine the
appropriate time and intensity of UV exposure that have the
most effective bactericidal activity, to determine the effects
of egg rotation during UV exposure, and to compare UV
sanitation efficacy with that of other sanitizers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
UV duration study
Visibly clean, unwashed eggs were used for all aerobic, mold,
and yeast enumeration studies. Eggs were exposed to UV radiation
at 1,720 flW!cm2 for 0, 15, and 30 min. These treatments were
selected from results of preliminary research (15). After UV
treatments, eggs were aseptically transferred to sterile plastic bags
(I egg per bag) and rinsed with 30 ml of autoclaved buffered
Fax: 409-845-1921: phosphate diluent (0.31 mM KH2P04, 0.22 mM NaOH, pH 7.2)
(BPD) rinse solution. After 30 s of gentle hand massage, 1 ml of the
 ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
rinse solution was used to recover the viable microorganisms.
Aerobic microorganisms were counted by plating the rinse and
serially diluted rinse solution on plate count agar (PCA) and
incubating the plates at 37°C for 24 h before counting viable
colonies. Tetracycline (40 Ilg/ml) was added to the PCA (17) to
inhibit bacteria, allowing mold and yeast CFU to be counted. The
plates for mold and yeast were placed at 20°C in the dark for 5 days
before counting CFU. Estimation of the total microorganisms
recovered from the eggshell was calculated as log (30 X CFU/ml
of BPD) to obtain log CFU per shell egg. The "0" colony count
should be < 1.5 (log CFU/shell egg) based on this calculation.
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However, 0.75 or 1.5 (log CFU/shell egg) was used to represent the
"0" CFU when analyzing the data. A total of 30 eggs was used,
which included 5 eggs per treatment and two replications.
Egg rotation study
In the first study, 2 eggs were placed on an egg roller (l
revolution per min) and exposed to 1,720 11W /cm2 of UV radiation
for 0, 10, 20 and 30 min. The method for recovery of viable
colonies was described above. With 2 eggs per treatment and five
replications, a total of 40 eggs were used. In the second study, a
greater intensity (4,350 IlW/cm2) of UV radiation combined with
egg rotation was used. Eggs were placed on the egg roller with the
Journal of Food Protection 1997.60:694-697.
speed of I revolution per min and exposed to 4,350 IlW/cm2 of UV
radiation for 0, 15, and 30 min. The experimental design was the
same as the study of the effect of UV intensity and a total of 30 eggs
were used. In the third study, the experiment was conducted by
exposing the eggs to 4,350 IlW/cm2 of UV for shorter time periods
(0,5, 10, and 15 min). The recovery methods and the experimental
design were as described for the previous study and a total of 40
eggs were used. Egg rotation was investigated by treating eggs with
or without rotation and exposing them to 4,350 IlW/cm2 of UV
radiation for 0,5, 10 and 15 min. With 2 eggs per treatment and five
replications, a total of 70 eggs were used.
Comparison of UV to other egg sanitizers
Aerobic microorganism, mold, and yeast populations were
estimated to compare the combination of egg rotation and UV
radiation to other egg sanitizers. The UV treatment of eggs
consisted of 4,350 IlW/cm2 ofUVradiation and an egg rotation of I
revolution per min for 15 min. UV radiation was compared to
dipping eggs for I min in 200 ppm chlorine-treated (84.4%
chlorine bleach plus distilled, deionized water) water; a 3 X
formaldehyde fumigation (standard I X: 20 g of KMn04 plus 40 ml
of formalin per 100 cubic feet) for 20 min; a commercial sanitizer
spray for 3 min (Bioguard®, Hes Spray@, Bio-Lab, Inc., Decatur,
GA, 30031); and no treatment. With 2 eggs per treatment and six
replications, a total of 60 eggs were used.
Statistical analysis
Statistical calculations were processed by using Statistical
Analysis System (SAS) software version 6.11 (19). Analyses of
variance were conducted by the general linear models procedure of
SAS (19) for mold and yeast counts and aerobic microorganisms
counts. Mean differences were separated by the PDIFF option
(pair-wise t tests).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
UV duration
The response of aerobic microorganism populations on
eggs exposed to 1,720 I1W/cm2 of UV radiation is shown in
Table 1. Aerobic microorganism populations were signifi-
OF SHELL EGGS 695
TABLE I. Effects of UV radiation on the aerobic and mold and
yeast populations from the eggshell surface
log CPU/shell egg
UV treatment time (min)
(1,720 flW/cm2 eggshell) APC (SEM = 0.2) Mold (SEM = 0.1)
o 4.7Aa 3.3A
15 2.7B 1.6B
30 2.6B <1.5B
a Means within columns not followed by the same letter differ
significantly (P < 0.01).
cantly reduced by UV exposure. Bacterial loads were
reduced by 2 log cycles after exposure to 15 min of 1,720
I1W/cm2 of UV radiation. However, no significant differ-
ences were observed between eggs exposed to 30 min of UV
light and eggs exposed to 15 min of Uv. Similar results were
obtained in a previous study in our laboratory (15) where a
2-10g-unit reduction of the aerobic microorganism popula-
tions was achieved after 15 min of exposure to 620 I1W/cm2
of UV radiation. Given the 2-10g-unit reduction observed in
these studies, a higher UV dosage than 1,720 I1W/cm2 may
be required in order to increase the bactericidal activity of
UV radiation on aerobic microorganisms contaminating the
surfaces of eggshells.
The mold and yeast populations were significantly
reduced by exposure to 1,720 I1Wlcm2 UV radiation (Table
1). The yeast and mold populations recovered from the
eggshell surfaces were either "1" or "0" CFU after expo-
sure to 15 min of UV radiation. These results agree with
previous studies which reported that mold and yeast popula-
tions were either" 1" or "0" CFU after 15 min of exposure
to 620 I1W/cm2 of UV radiation (15). The results of the
current study further demonstrate that UV radiation is very
effective in reducing molds and yeast which contaminate
shell egg surfaces and unlike aerobic microorganisms present
on egg shells, greater UV intensities are probably not
required for extensive reduction of yeasts and molds on egg
shells.
Egg rotation
Aerobic microorganism populations were significantly
reduced by the combination of UV radiation and roller
treatments (Table 2). The eggs were put on an egg roller at a
speed of 1 revolution per min while exposed to 1,720
I1W/cm2 of UV radiation. A 2-10g-cycle reduction of aerobic
microorganisms populations was observed after 10 min of
exposure to UV radiation and a nearly 3-10g-unit reduction
was detected after 30 min of UV radiation. The results of this
study suggest that rotating eggs at 1 revolution per min could
enhance the bactericidal activity of UV radiation by creating
a more complete exposure of bacteria on the entire egg shell
surface to UV radiation and thus resulting in further
reduction of bacterial populations.
Aerobic microorganism populations were significantly
reduced by exposure to a greater intensity (4,350 I1W/cm2)
of UV radiation (Table 2). A 2.8-10g CFU reduction was
observed after 15 min of exposure to UV radiation and a
more than 3-10g CFU reduction was observed after 30 min of
 696 KUO, RICKE, AND CAREY

TABLE 2. The effects of UV radiation with egg rotation at 1 l2l Control

revolution per min on aerobic microorganism populations from 6
eggshell surfaces A
I]
" Roller
0> 5 T
APC (log CFU/shell egg) 0> III No Roller
(I)
4,350 J.lW/cm2 4

-
(I)
~en B
UV treatment time
(min)
1,720 J.lU/cm2
(SEM = 0.1)
Trial I
(SEM = 0.1)
Trial 2
(SEM = 0.1)
:;) 3 T
LL
0c
0 4.9Aa 4.9A 5.1A ~ 2
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5 - b 3.0B 0>
10 2.8B
.Q
2.8B
15 2.1B 2.0e
20 2ABe o
30 2.1e 1.8B o 5 10 15
a Means within columns not followed by common letter differ UV exposure time (min)
significantly (P < 0.01).
b _, not determined. FIGURE 1. The effects of UV radiation with or without egg
rotation at 1 revolution per min on aerobic microorganism
populations from eggshell surfaces. UVintensity, 4,350 ILW/cm2• A,
exposure to UV radiation. These results suggest that greater
B, C: means, P < 0.01. Control, group without UV treatment;
UV intensity (4,350 J..lW/cm2) may increase the germicidal
Roller, egg rotation at 1 revolution per min; No Roller, no egg
Journal of Food Protection 1997.60:694-697.

activity ofUV radiation. However, no significant differences rotation.

were detected between UV exposure times. These results
also suggest that 15 min of 4,350 J..lW/cm2 of UV radiation
accompanied with egg rotation could reduce the total
number of microorganisms contaminating the eggshell sur-
face to less than 150 (2.1 log CFU/shell egg). This could
result in increasing the egg storage time without contamina-
tion problems.
Aerobic microorganisms contaminating eggshell sur-
faces Were significantly decreased by 4,350 J..lW/cm2 of UV
radiation in combination with egg rotation for shorter
treatment time periods (Table 2). However, the aerobic
microorganism populations of eggs exposed to 5 or 10 min
of UV radiation were significantly greater than those of eggs
exposed to 15 min of UV radiation. These results further
demonstrate that egg rotation and 15 min of 4,350 J..lW/cm2
of UV radiation may be required to effectively sanitize the
egg shell surfaces.
The aerobic microorganism populations were signifi-
cantly reduced by 4,350 J..lW/cm2of UV treatments with or
without egg rotation (Figure 1). No significant differences
were observed among UV radiation exposure times for eggs
without rotation and the eggs exposed to 5 or 10 min of UV
radiation in combination with egg rotation. However, eggs
exposed to 15 min of UV radiation combined with egg
rotation had significantly lower aerobic microorganism
ments. In general, rinsing eggs sanitized by these treatments
resulted in either "0" or "1" recovered CFU. The aerobic
microorganism populations of eggs treated with UV radia-
tion were significantly greater than those of eggs sanitized
by other treatments. These results indicate that UV radiation
was not as effective as chlorine, Bioguard® and fumigation
in decreasing microorganisms contaminating eggshell sur-
faces. However, UV radiation did effectively reduce bacte-
rial loads to 2.3 log CFU per shell egg. Chlorine treatments
are useful in preventing spoilage and increasing the shelf life
of food, but potential health hazards have been associated
with the use of these compounds. The chlorination reactions
are of particular concern in foods because of toxic chloroor-
ganic compounds (25). Formaldehyde fumigation has been
the recommended treatment in hatcheries due to its effective-
TABLE 3. The effects of UV radiation, 200 ppm chlorine-treated
water dip, Bioguard spray, and formaldehyde fumigation treat-
ments on aerobic and mold and yeast populations from eggshell
surfaces
log CFU/shell egg
Treatmentsa APC (SEM = O. I) Mold (SEM = 0.0)

populations than all other combinations. These results were Control 5.0Ab 3.7A
consistent with previous results from this study (Table 2) UVR 2.3B <1.5B
which showed that the total number of recoverable aerobic CL <1.5e <1.5B
microorganisms after 15 min exposure to 4,350 J..lW/cm2 of Bioguard <1.5e <1.5B
UV radiation combined with egg rotation was less than 100 Fumigation <1.5e <1.5B
cells.
a Control, group without UV treatment; UVR, eggs treated with
4,350 !JW/cm2 of UV radiation for 15 min; CL, eggs dipped in
Comparison of UV radiation to other egg sanitizers
200 ppm chlorine-treated water for 1 min; Bioguard®, commer-
The aerobic microorganism populations were signifi- cial sanitizer spray on eggs for 3 min; fumigation, Eggs treated
cantly reduced by all treatments (Table 3). No significant with 3 X formaldehyde fumigation for 20 min.
differences in aerobic microorganism populations were b Means within columns not followed by a common letter differ

detected among chlorine, Bioguard® and fumigation treat- significantly (P < 0.01).
 ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
ness and ease of application (8, 11). However, there are
undesirable consequences of working with this toxic gas.
4.
Formaldehyde gas is intensely irritating to mucous mem-
branes and is a suspected carcinogen (5). Subacute exposure 5.
of rats to formaldehyde concentrations higher than 2 ppm
inhibits mucocilliary clearance of the nasal epithelium and 6.
leads to progressive histological and ultrastructural lesions
(4). Casteel et al. (6) indicated that vapor exposure in 7.
humans results in symptoms of eye and upper respiratory
8.
tract irritation. Scott (20) reported that UV light has potential
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as a sanitizer safe to the user and the environment for
pretreatment of hatching eggs. With these health consider- 9.
ations, UV radiation is a potentially favorable alternative.
The mold and yeast populations were significantly
reduced by all treatments (Table 3). No significant differ- 10.
ences in mold and yeast populations were detected among
II.
UV radiation, chlorine, Bioguard® and fumigation treat-
ments. In general, rinsing eggs sanitized by these treatments 12.
resulted in either "0" or "I" recovered CFU. These results
were consistent with those of previous studies (15) which
13.
reported that UV radiation could effectively decrease mold
and yeast contaminating eggshell surfaces.
Journal of Food Protection 1997.60:694-697.
In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that 14.
greater UV intensity may have greater biocidal activity and
that egg rotation during UV radiation helps to eliminate a 15.
substantial proportion of the bacterial populations on egg-
shell surfaces. Although UV radiation was not as bacterio-
16.
cidal as chlorine, Bioguard® or fumigation on aerobic
microorganisms, it did effectively reduce the aerobic micro-
organisms population levels on eggshell surfaces to accept-
able levels. In addition to being an environmentally safer 17.
alternative to chemical egg sanitizers, UV radiation could
potentially be an economical sanitizer for commercial
application in egg processing if greater UV intensities and 18.
rotating eggs during UV exposure are implemented to
19.
improve the bactericidal capability of UV radiation. 20.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 21.
We wish to thank G. R. Acuff for helpful discussion. We also thank
D. J. Shafer and D. T. Hyatt for assistance in conducting research and Y M. 22.
K won for assistance with the figures for this manuscript.
23.
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