Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the survival of Salmonella spp. in chicken and duck eggs after artificial contamination and subsequent storage at room temperature and 4 °C for different time intervals. The presence of microbial contamination on eggshells poses a risk of Salmonella spp. infection, which can lead to salmonellosis when raw or undercooked eggs are consumed. The potential effectiveness of soaking eggs in 70% ethanol to remove or reduce microbial contamination was also explored. Using an artificial contamination method, chicken and duck eggshells were inoculated with various concentrations of Salmonella spp., namely 0, 105, and 108 cells per egg. Following the contamination, the eggs were stored at room temperature and 4 °C, and the survival of Salmonella spp. was monitored at different time points (3, 7, and 14 days). The findings revealed that Salmonella spp. could survive for up to 14 days when eggs were stored at both room temperature and 4 °C, regardless of whether they were chicken or duck eggs. This indicates the potential for Salmonella spp. to persist and remain infectious within contaminated eggs over an extended period. The results suggest that proper handling and storage practices are essential to minimize the risk of salmonellosis associated with egg consumption. Further research is needed to explore effective strategies for mitigating Salmonella spp. contamination on eggshells and enhancing food safety. Additionally, investigations into the specific mechanisms underlying Salmonella spp. survival in eggs under different storage conditions would contribute to the development of targeted intervention measures to reduce the risk of salmonellosis transmission through egg consumption.