Natural Beeswax-Seed Oil Coatings for Shell Eggs: Effects on Physicochemical, Functional, and Microbiological Quality during Chilled Storage
- 1Afyon Kocatepe University , , ,
- 2MuĞla Sıtkı Koçman University , , ,
- 3Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University , , ,
Abstract
Shell eggs lose quality rapidly during storage because the porous shell allows moisture and carbon dioxide to escape, allowing air and bacteria to enter. Beeswax is an effective natural barrier against moisture transfer; however, it possesses limited intrinsic antimicrobial activity. In this study, the effectiveness of beeswax-based coatings enriched with cold-pressed sesame oil or black cumin oil at concentrations of 3% and 5% (w/w) was evaluated for preserving the quality and microbial stability of grade A table eggs during 5 weeks of refrigerated storage at 4 °C. Uncoated, water-washed, and pure beeswax-coated eggs were included as control treatments. Quality attributes were assessed at weekly intervals and included weight loss, air-cell height, Haugh unit, yolk index, shape index, component weights, CIE color parameters, albumen and yolk pH, soluble solids content, foaming capacity, and emulsion stability. Microbiological quality was evaluated by enumerating total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, and molds and yeasts. Coating treatment significantly affected weight loss, air-cell height, yolk index, albumen and yolk pH, albumen and yolk color, foaming capacity, emulsion stability, and all microbial counts (P < 0.05), whereas Haugh unit, shape index, shell thickness, and yolk weight were not significantly affected. Storage time and the treatment × time interaction significantly influenced weight loss, air-cell height, color parameters, albumen pH, soluble solids, foaming capacity, emulsion stability, and microbial counts. Beeswax-based coatings reduced weight loss and air-cell expansion and contributed to the preservation of yolk index, while washed eggs exhibited the most rapid deterioration, highlighting the protective function of the natural cuticle. Albumen pH increased during storage; however, this increase was most effectively limited by pure beeswax and beeswax containing 5% black cumin oil, suggesting improved resistance to gas transfer. Washed eggs exhibited the highest microbial loads, reaching 1040 CFU g–1, whereas all beeswax-based coatings, with or without added oil, maintained microbial counts at or near the detection limit throughout storage. Since pure beeswax generally performed comparably to the oil-enriched coatings in controlling microbial growth, the enhanced microbiological stability of coated eggs appears to be primarily associated with physical pore sealing by the wax, while any additional antimicrobial contribution from the incorporated oils should be regarded as a possible complementary mechanism. Overall, beeswax-based coatings, either alone or enriched with sesame or black cumin oil, represent a promising natural strategy for preserving the physical quality and microbiological stability of shell eggs during refrigerated storage.
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BibTeX
@article{adal2026natural,
title = {{Natural Beeswax-Seed Oil Coatings for Shell Eggs: Effects on Physicochemical, Functional, and Microbiological Quality during Chilled Storage}},
author = {Samiye Adal and Gökhan Akarca and Ayşin Kahraman Avcı and Ismail Güngör and Yunus Çetintaş},
journal = {ACS Omega},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1021/acsomega.6c10841},
url = {https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c10841/5466161/Natural-Beeswax-Seed-Oil-Coatings-for-Shell-Eggs},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Natural Beeswax-Seed Oil Coatings for Shell Eggs: Effects on Physicochemical, Functional, and Microbiological Quality during Chilled Storage
AU - Samiye Adal
AU - Gökhan Akarca
AU - Ayşin Kahraman Avcı
AU - Ismail Güngör
AU - Yunus Çetintaş
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/07
JO - ACS Omega
DO - 10.1021/acsomega.6c10841
UR - https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6c10841/5466161/Natural-Beeswax-Seed-Oil-Coatings-for-Shell-Eggs
AB - Shell eggs lose quality rapidly during storage because the porous shell allows moisture and carbon dioxide to escape, allowing air and bacteria to enter. Beeswax is an effective natural barrier against moisture transfer; however, it possesses limited intrinsic antimicrobial activity. In this study, the effectiveness of beeswax-based coatings enriched with cold-pressed sesame oil or black cumin oil at concentrations of 3% and 5% (w/w) was evaluated for preserving the quality and microbial stability of grade A table eggs during 5 weeks of refrigerated storage at 4 °C. Uncoated, water-washed, and pure beeswax-coated eggs were included as control treatments. Quality attributes were assessed at weekly intervals and included weight loss, air-cell height, Haugh unit, yolk index, shape index, component weights, CIE color parameters, albumen and yolk pH, soluble solids content, foaming capacity, and emulsion stability. Microbiological quality was evaluated by enumerating total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, and molds and yeasts. Coating treatment significantly affected weight loss, air-cell height, yolk index, albumen and yolk pH, albumen and yolk color, foaming capacity, emulsion stability, and all microbial counts (P < 0.05), whereas Haugh unit, shape index, shell thickness, and yolk weight were not significantly affected. Storage time and the treatment × time interaction significantly influenced weight loss, air-cell height, color parameters, albumen pH, soluble solids, foaming capacity, emulsion stability, and microbial counts. Beeswax-based coatings reduced weight loss and air-cell expansion and contributed to the preservation of yolk index, while washed eggs exhibited the most rapid deterioration, highlighting the protective function of the natural cuticle. Albumen pH increased during storage; however, this increase was most effectively limited by pure beeswax and beeswax containing 5% black cumin oil, suggesting improved resistance to gas transfer. Washed eggs exhibited the highest microbial loads, reaching 1040 CFU g–1, whereas all beeswax-based coatings, with or without added oil, maintained microbial counts at or near the detection limit throughout storage. Since pure beeswax generally performed comparably to the oil-enriched coatings in controlling microbial growth, the enhanced microbiological stability of coated eggs appears to be primarily associated with physical pore sealing by the wax, while any additional antimicrobial contribution from the incorporated oils should be regarded as a possible complementary mechanism. Overall, beeswax-based coatings, either alone or enriched with sesame or black cumin oil, represent a promising natural strategy for preserving the physical quality and microbiological stability of shell eggs during refrigerated storage.
SN - 2470-1343
ER -