High voltage atmospheric cold plasma decontamination of Salmonella enteritidis on chicken eggs

Salmonella enteritidis (SE) accounts for more than 70% of spp. infections in humans with a primary source being chicken eggs, that can result from post-lay SE cross-contamination the shell contaminated equipment or environment. The objective this study was to apply HVACP treatment achieve minimum 5-log reduction on surface artificially inoculated eggs an initial bacterial load 108 CFU/egg, after previous disinfection. Optimized conditions were indirect air at 60% humidity 100 kV one minute and six hours post-treatment alternatively, five minutes four post-treatment. Egg quality parameters Haugh unit (HU), pH, color, vitelline membrane strength tested under optimized showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between treated untreated eggs. Industrial relevance: Missing information possible scale up cold plasma system egg decontamination has been addressed by optimization focused time, essential have into account food industry. These results demonstrate is effective method provides baseline future process, showing different combinations variables desired without affecting key such as Unit strength.