THE EFFECT OF OILING AND AIR CELL MOLD ON THE OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE CONTENTS OF THE AIR CELLS OF EGGS

The gas contained in the air cells of day old eggs had a high carbon dioxide content, but during storage the gas composition approached that of the surrounding atmosphere. Oiling of the egg, or otherwise sealing the shell, tended to retain carbon dioxide in the air cell. Growth of mold in the air cell, or of bacteria in the egg contents, markedly reduced the oxygen content and increased the carbon dioxide content of the air cell gas. Permeability of the shell of unoiled eggs to moisture vapor was low and the relative humidity in the air cell was shown to be 99% or higher. Oiling of the eggs cannot therefore promote mold growth by increasing the humidity in the air cell.