The effect of storage temperature and kind of package on the internal quality of eggs from japanese quails (Coturnix japonica, Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) on the 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th experimental days were evaluated. One hundred and ninety two eggs from japanese quails were used in a completely randomized outline and splitplot scheme, with twenty four treatments and eight replicates of one egg per experimental unit. The treatments were consisted from the combination of two storage temperatures (room temperature and under refrigeration) versus three kind of package (paper, isopor and plastic), randomized to the plots, versus four times (5th, 10th, 15th and 20th days of storage), allotted to the splitplots. The studied traits were weight loss, in percentage, albumen height, on millimeter, and Haugh unit. As long as storage time increased, albumen height and Haugh unit decreased and weight loss japanese quail eggs stored at room temperature increased. During the storage time, the average values of albumen height and Haugh unit of japanese quail eggs stored under refrigeration were higher than respective means of albumen height and Haugh unit eggs stored at room temperature. The use of isopor package allowed smaller weight of loss of eggs than the use of paper and plastic packages, independently of time and storage temperature.
Albumen height; egg quality; Haugh unity; japanese quail; shelf-life
