# Effect of a Hypoxia-Controlled Atmosphere Box on Egg Respiration Intensity and Quality
###### Abstract  
Egg preservation is an important factor during storage and transportation. Fresh eggs were stored in boxes in a controlled atmosphere with an O\({}_{2}\) concentration of 0% O\({}_{2}\) + 100% nitrogen (N\({}_{2}\)), 5% O\({}_{2}\) + 95% N\({}_{2}\), 10% O\({}_{2}\) + 90% N\({}_{2}\), 15% O\({}_{2}\) + 85% N\({}_{2}\), and 20% O\({}_{2}\) + 80% N\({}_{2}\), and the effects of these storage conditions on large quantities of eggs were studied. The respiratory intensity and quality of eggs during storage were measured. We chose the weight loss rate of eggs, Haugh unit, pH, and the egg white total plate count as the characteristic indices of egg quality. We compared the changes in egg quality during and after storage at different O\({}_{2}\) concentrations versus that at 25 \({}^{\circ}\)C. The stages were evaluated using the TOPSIS method to sort egg quality, and the optimal O\({}_{2}\) concentration was selected. FLUENT was used to simulate and control the atmospheric requirements. Our findings showed that eggs stored in an air-conditioning chamber with O\({}_{2}\) concentration \(\leq\)10% exhibited weak respiratory intensity (0-1 mg/(kg-h)). The rates of decrease in loss of egg weight and Haugh units were smaller. There were significant differences in the pH of egg white stored in different O\({}_{2}\) concentrations (\(p\) < 0.05). Reducing the O\({}_{2}\) concentration in the egg-storage environment reduced the number of colonies in eggs and had a positive effect on egg preservation. Simulations using FLUENT revealed that only 1200 s were required to achieve the low-oxygen environment in the controlled atmosphere box (1.5 m \(\times\) 1 m \(\times\) 1 m). The storage environment of 5% O\({}_{2}\) + 95% N\({}_{2}\) had the best preservation effect on eggs. This approach is associated with low costs in practical application and can potentially be used for egg storage and transport. egeg; modified atmosphere packaging; oxygen; respiratory intensity +
Footnote †: journal: Applied Sciences  
products [5; 6; 7]. The most common protective gases are carbon dioxide (CO\({}_{2}\)), oxygen (O\({}_{2}\)), and nitrogen (N\({}_{2}\)). Among them, O\({}_{2}\) and CO\({}_{2}\) are important factors affecting egg respiration, whereas N\({}_{2}\) is an inert and inexpensive gas mostly used to regulate gas concentration [8]. Studies have shown that the respiration rate of fruits and vegetables were significantly reduced in an environment of low O\({}_{2}\)[9; 10; 11]. Storage of agricultural products in an environment of low O\({}_{2}\) can not only inhibit their respiratory intensity but also significantly reduce the production of volatile organic compounds [12]. However, fruits will exhibit browning, cavities, and other phenomena indicating quality deterioration at very low O\({}_{2}\) concentrations [13]. [PERSON] et al. [14] used to store fresh eggs in a high-carbon dioxide gas environment. It is found that the carbon dioxide gas conditioning method can effectively weaken the activity of enzymes in the egg, slow down the rate of biochemical reactions, and inhibit the growth of microorganisms. During the storage period (42 days), the eggs were treated with improved packaging, cleaning coating and ultraviolet sterilization compound method, and their freshness index, egg white pH value and bacterial colony count were better than ordinary eggs [15]. [PERSON] [16] studied the effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the preservation of eggs. After 28 days of storage, the unpackaged control group had already loosened yellow, and the air packaged group's eggs had dropped to B level. However, the eggs in the modified atmosphere packaging group still maintained about AA grade, and the difference in the fresh-keeping effect of the modified atmosphere experimental groups was not significant. Further, 100% CO\({}_{2}\) packaging might represent a promising innovative technique for the maintenance of egg characteristics during transport, retail, and domestic storage [17].