Egg Innovations and Strategies for Improvements examines the production of eggs from their development to human consumption. Chapters also address consumer acceptance, quality control, regulatory aspects, cost and risk analyses, and research trends. Eggs are a rich source of macro- and micronutrients which are consumed not only by themselves, but also within the matrix of food products, such as pastas, cakes, and pastries. A wholesome, versatile food with a balanced array of essential nutrients, eggs are a stable of the human diet. Emerging strategies entail improvements to the composition of eggs via fortification or biological enrichment of hen's feed with polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, or minerals. Conversely, eggs can be a source of food-borne disease or pollutants that can have effects on not only human health, but also egg production and commercial viability. Written by an international team of experts, the book presents a unique overview of the biology and science of egg production, nutrient profiling, disease, and modes for increasing their production and quality. Designed for poultry and food scientists, technologists, microbiologists, and workers in public health and the food and egg industries, the book is valuable as an industrial reference and as a resource in academic libraries.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Introduction 1. Chicken Eggs 2. Quail Eggs 3. Duck Eggs 4. Guinea Fowl, Goose, Turkey, Ostrich, and Emu Eggs Section 2: Management and Housing 5. Steroid Hormones and Female Energy Balance: Relation to Offspring Primary Sex Ratio 6. Breeder Hen Influence on Nutrient Availability for the Embryo and Hatchling 7. The Effect of Lighting and Photoperiod on Chicken Egg Production and Quality 8. Enrichments in Cages 9. Commercial Free-Range Egg Production Practices 10. Organic Farming and Mineral Content of Chicken Eggs 11. Controlling Feather Pecking and Cannibalism in Egg Laying Flocks Section 3: Food Safety 12. Effects of Temperature and Storage Conditions on Eggs 13. The Eggshell Microbial Activity 14. Effects of Propolis on Eggshell 15. The Eggshell Proteome Yields Insight into its Antimicrobial Protection 16. Shell Egg Pasteurization 17. Effects of Gamma Radiation for Microbiological Control in Eggs Section 4: Composition of Eggs 18. Cholesterol in Chicken Eggs: Still a Dietary Concern for Some 19. Lutein and Zeaxanthin Carotenoids in Eggs 20. Vitamins in Eggs Section 5: Use of Eggs 21. Economic and Cultural Aspects of the Table Egg as an Edible Commodity 22. Use of Hen Egg White Lysozyme in the Food Industry 23. Function and Separation of Ovotransferrin from Chicken Egg 24. The Use of Egg and Egg Products in Pasta Production 25. The Eggshell and its Commercial and Production Importance 26. Nutraceutical Egg Products Section 6: Improving Production 27. Use of Dietary Probiotics to Improve Laying Hen Performance 28. Improving Performance Traits of Laying Hens with Vitamin C 29. Modifying Protein in Feed 30. Improving Egg Production and Hen Health with Calcium 31. Use of Ginseng in Animal Production 32. Preventive Measures for Avoiding the Deleterious Effects of Heat Stress on Egg Production and Quality Section 7: Improving Composition 33. Supplemental Linseed on Egg Production 34. Supplemental Flax and Impact on n3 and 6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Eggs 35. Supplemental Fish Oil and its Impact on n-3 Fatty Acids in Eggs 36. Microalgal Feed Supplementation to Enrich Eggs with Omega-3 Fatty Acids 37. Supplemental Iodine Section 8: Preserving Eggs 38. Pickling Eggs 39. Sodium Chloride Preservation in Duck Eggs 40. Inorganic Elements in Preserved Eggs Section 9: Adverse Non-Microbial Contaminants 41. The Effect of Estrogens on Egg-Laying Performance 42. Antimicrobial Residues in Table Eggs 43. Nitrofuran Veterinary Drug Residues in Chicken Eggs 44. Anthelmintic Benzimidazoles in Eggs 45. Flame Retardants in Wild Bird Eggs and in Relation to Eggs in the Human Food Supply 46. Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans, and Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Chicken Eggs 47. Influence of Plant Toxins on Laying Hen Performance and Egg Quality Section 10: Microbial or Parasitic Contaminants 48. Salmonella and Impact on Egg Production 49. Colibacillosis and its Impact on Egg Production 50. Mycoplasmosis in Egg Laying Flocks 51. Avian Influenza Virus and Newcastle Disease Virus 52. Infectious Bronchitis 53. Coccidiosis in Egg-laying Poultry 54. Mycotoxin Impact on Egg Production 55. Parasites in Laying Hen Housing Systems