Scienceline Publications Journal of World's Poultry Research 2322-455X 6 1 2016 March Effect of Beeswax, Gelatin and Aloe vera Gel Coatings on Physical Properties and Shelf Life of Chicken Eggs Stored at 30°C 06 13 http://jwpr.science-line.com/attachments/article/35/J%20World%20Poult%20Res%206(1)%2006-13,%20March%2025,%202016.pdf EN Amal Iroshan Mudannayaka Department of Livestock and Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila, NWP, 60170, Sri Lanka Dissanayakage Surakshi Wimangika Rajapaksha Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka Kodithuwakku Arachchilage Heshan Taraka Kodithuwakku Department of Livestock and Avian Sciences, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila, NWP, 60170, Sri Lanka Present study was to determine the effect of beeswax, gelatin and Aloe vera gel coatings on internal quality and shelf life of chicken eggs compared to uncoated and mineral oil coated eggs. Four hundred and seventy five brown shell eggs were obtained from 32 weeks old Lohmann classic brown layers and all the eggs were randomly divided into five groups as ninety five eggs per group. Mineral oil, beeswax, Aloe vera gel and gelatin coatings were applied on eggs as four treatments and one group of eggs were uncoated and kept as control group. Then all the eggs were stored at 30°C and relative humidity of 70% - 75% for six weeks of storage period. Beeswax and gelatin coated eggs showed significantly lower weight loss values and preserved albumin and yolk quality of eggs than uncoated eggs. Eggs coated with mineral oil and beeswax showed similar results for weight loss, Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen and yolk pH. Based on the Haugh Unit, eggs can be classified into four grades as AA (above 72), A (72-60), B (59-31) and C (below 30). Quality of uncoated eggs, Aloe vera coated eggs and gelatin coated eggs dropped from AA to B and mineral oil and beeswax coated eggs changed from initial AA quality to A quality after six weeks of storage at 30°C. Results of microbiological analysis showed that all coated eggs were microbiologically safe throughout the storage period. The present study demonstrated that, in comparison to the mineral oil and the uncoated eggs, beeswax is a better novel coating material and gelatin can also be successfully used as coating material in preserving the internal quality and extending the shelf life of chicken eggs stored at 30 °C for six weeks. Chicken eggs Coatings Internal quality Shelf life Storage time