Ventilation strategies for mold control during egg storage and transportation: A comprehensive evaluation integrating ITS sequencing and antibacterial efficacy

In the context of increasingly frequent global extreme weather events such as high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, mold contamination on egg surfaces poses significant challenges to egg storage and transportation, leading to economic losses and threats to food safety. This study detected the fungal composition on eggshells and, based on that, systematically evaluated the antimicrobial effects of various physical and chemical antimicrobial treatments on mold growth on egg surfaces under simulated high-temperature and high-humidity conditions (35 °C, 85% relative humidity). This was achieved through fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing and dilution plate counting. ITS sequencing revealed a specific mycobiota profile dominated by Aspergillus sydowii among 10 identified fungal species, which guided the subsequent evaluation of targeted antimicrobial strategies. Based on this profile compared to methods such as alcohol spraying, short-duration Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and ozone fumigation, continuous ventilation was identified as the most effective and stable intervention, maintaining low mold counts over extended periods airflow speed ≥0.35 m/s. Continuous ventilation offered advantages, including low cost, simple operation, and no chemical residues. Continuous ventilation extended the mold-free storage period by at least 16 days compared to the untreated control and reduced mold counts by up to 2.9 log CFU/egg. In summary, this study proposed continuous low-velocity ventilation as a core green anti-mold strategy for egg storage, logistics, and sales in high-temperature, high-humidity climates.