Food Safety
Nurten Yilmaz
Abstract
Salmonella contamination of shell eggs is a major public health concern worldwide and continues to challenge the poultry industry. Although conventional chemical sanitizers are effective, concerns regarding chemical residues, environmental impact, and consumer demand for clean-label products have accelerated ...
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Salmonella contamination of shell eggs is a major public health concern worldwide and continues to challenge the poultry industry. Although conventional chemical sanitizers are effective, concerns regarding chemical residues, environmental impact, and consumer demand for clean-label products have accelerated interest in plant-derived antimicrobials. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of essential oils and plant extracts for controlling Salmonella on eggshell surfaces. Particular attention is given to the antimicrobial mechanisms of major bioactive compounds, including thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and phenolic-rich plant extracts. The review also discusses practical application strategies, including washing, spraying, nanoemulsion-based delivery, and active packaging, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing antimicrobial stability and prolonging egg shelf life. Finally, current challenges related to formulation standardization, industrial scalability, and regulatory approval are addressed, together with future perspectives for integrating plant-derived antimicrobials into sustainable egg sanitation systems.
