Lactic and succinic acid levels and refractive indices in the determinations of the age of eggs.
The increase in the concentration of lactic and succinic acid during storage was measured in an attempt to determine the age of eggs. The increase in succinic acid alone is not sufficient to indicate egg age. Although lactic acid concentrations increase more rapidly, the levels are still very low, the increase is not linear, and concentrations in fresh eggs vary widely. On the other hand, refractive indices showed a nearly linear correlation with age and very little variation between eggs. These measurements are reproducible and easy to perform and, with further study, should provide an alternative to the AOAC method.
D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis*; D005519:Food Preservation; D007773:Lactates / Q000032:analysis*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D013386:Succinates / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors
D007773:Lactates; D013386:Succinates