The use of propolis extract for the storage of quail eggs

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of propolis extract on egg storage time of table quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) eggs. Propolis is a sticky, resinous, dark-colored material that honey bees collect from young plants. In the experiment, 600 quail eggs were used and eggs were coated with various concentrations of propolis extract (0%: group I, 5%: group II, 10%: group III, 15%: group IV) and treated with 70% ethyl alcohol (group V). A 5-week storage period was implemented, and 120 eggs were used for each group. Consequently, the effects of storage time and shell treatments on storage time and the effects of treatments on the interior quality of eggs were determined. The results of the study confirmed highly significant differences between weekly changes in egg weight loss, albumen-yellow indexes, and Haugh units (P < 0.001). While the difference in yolk index between groups was insignificant, the difference between groups with respect to albumen index (P < 0.001), Haugh units (P < 0.001) albumen pH (P < 0.001), and egg weight loss (P < 0.001) were significant. The significance of the overall difference with regard to Haugh units varied among groups; for example, group IV showed the highest value of 87.73%, followed by group III (87.69%), group II (86.97%), group V (85.53%), and group I (85.21%). Albumen pH levels were increased with increasing storage time for each treatment group. The best egg protection results in terms of interior quality were obtained in eggs coated with 10% and 15% propolis extract during storage.