Influence of Storage Duration and Cuticle Coverage Level on Egg Quality Attributes

This study aimed to determine the effects of storage duration on external and internal egg quality characteristics in eggs with different cuticle coverage levels. Eggs obtained from Lohmann LSL Classic laying hybrids were used in the study, and the eggs were divided into three different cuticle coverage levels, namely weak, medium, and good, according to the color change (ΔE) before and after staining. The eggs were stored at 4–6 °C for 0, 14, 28, and 42 days, and external and internal quality characteristics were determined during the storage periods. The effects of storage duration and cuticle coverage level were evaluated using two-way analysis of variance, and the relationships between cuticle coverage level and egg quality characteristics were examined using Pearson correlation analysis. Storage duration significantly decreased egg weight, specific gravity, shell thickness, shell weight, and surface area (P<0.01), but did not affect shape index and shell breaking strength. Among the internal quality characteristics, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit, and yolk color were significantly affected by storage duration (P<0.01). While cuticle coverage level did not affect any of the external quality characteristics, it caused a significant difference in albumen index (P<0.01). The storage duration × cuticle coverage level interaction was not significant for any of the examined characteristics (P>0.05). A significant negative correlation was determined between cuticle coverage level and albumen index in all storage periods and in the overall evaluation (r=-0.45; P<0.01). Other significant correlations were limited to specific storage periods. In conclusion, storage duration was determined to be the main factor affecting changes in egg quality characteristics, whereas cuticle coverage level affected a limited number of quality characteristics and showed relationships with some characteristics depending on the storage period.