A Novel Sterilized Method for Escherichia coli Infected Eggs: Atmospheric Arc Discharge Technology

Abstract

In order to avoid environmental microorganism pollution of fresh eggs, a novel arc discharge equipment was built up, which can be worked in air environment at room temperature. As a case, clean and fresh eggs were inoculated with Escherichia coli (E. coil, 106 ∼ 108 Colony-Forming Units (CFU)/mL) suspension, then eradiated under the atmospheric arc discharge for different durations. Surface and cross section morphologies of irradiated E. coli collected from the eggs respectively by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis indicate that arc plasma phase could effectively and efficiently inactivate E. coli in a very short duration time through etching effect and protein leakage. Subsequently, the analysis of chamber diameter was measured to assess the storage and freshness preservation performances of eggs. Our results indicated that this technology could effectively inactivate E. coli suspended on the surface of eggshell and extend egg shelf-life, which open the possibility of industrial applications of atmospheric arc discharge in sterile area.