Effects of ovotransferrin-chitosan composite coating agent on the storage quality of heavy metals-free preserved eggs

Heavy metals -free preserved eggs (HMFPEs) are prepared by adjusting the sodium hydroxide and temperature during the pickling process, without heavy metals such as copper and zinc compared with traditional methods in the pickling solution. Due to the absence of plugging effect by heavy metals, there is a sharp drop in quality during storage. In order to guarantee the quality of HMFPEs during storage, a unique blend of ovotransferrinchitosan composite coating solution was evenly spread over the shells, and the changes of physicochemical, sensory, and microbial properties during different storage periods were studied. The results showed that after 182 days of storage at 25(degrees) C, coating group with citric acid as crosslinker could effectively prevent moisture loss, lipid oxidation and microbial growth, and consequently maintain desirable color and flavor of HMFPEs.