Can you reuse pickled egg brine?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you reuse pickled egg brine” and discuss what are the risks of reusing pickled egg brine and the possible alternatives to reuse pickled egg brine.

Can you reuse pickled egg brine?

Yes, you can reuse pickled egg brine for preserving another batch of food products. But to be on the safe side, it is not usually recommended to use the brine for more than once (1).

To improve the safety of the reusing of brine solution, the brine should be filtered, treated with lime, as a recycling process of the water, in which enzymes are chemically inactivated (1,2). 

What are the risks of reusing pickled egg brines?

The risks of reusing pickled egg brines are increasing the microbial count of the product, as well as the risk of oxidation of lipids and reduction of the quality of the product (3). 

Although the low pH of the brine inhibits most of the microorganisms to develop, they are not free from microbial contamination, as many yeasts and bacteria are able to resist and grow in these conditions. 

During the brining of eggs, enzymes act in the food and release organic matter into the solution. The organic matter, which is composed of lipids and amino acids of the eggs, can serve as an energy source for the growth of microorganisms. By reusing the brine, the risks of microbial growth increases, as the organic matter in the solution is higher (1,2).

There are also the risks of occurring oxidation of the leached lipids present in the brine, with prolonged use of the brine. The oxidized lipids generate off-odors and off-flavors and can cause negative effects on health (4).

How to reuse pickled egg brine industrially?

Industrially, the pickling brines are reused. According to studies, the most effective method is to filter the brine using ultrafiltration processes, in which the brine passes through a fine filter of 0.22 micrometers.

This process purifies the brine from the lipids and the microorganisms and reduces the residual nitrogen in the solution, as well as the enzymatic activity (3).

How to reuse pickled egg brine at home?

At home, the reuse of egg brine can be done simply by adding a new batch of cooked eggs into the brine, after checking if the brine is free of signs of microbial growth, spoilage, alterations of color, odor or taste (5).

To ensure the safety and improve the product quality, it is recommended to (1,2):

  1. Adjust the pH of the brine solution to 11.0 with lime or a liquid sodium hydroxide solution
  2. Precipitation will be formed. Allow it to settle (approximately 2 hours) 
  3. Separate the clear brine and reject the precipitate 
  4. Adjust pH to 7.0 with acetic acid or vinegar 
  5. Reuse the solution to prepare the new batch of pickled eggs

When should you not reuse the pickled egg brine?

You should not reuse the pickled egg brine if you notice any signs of spoilage. Oxidative yeasts, heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria and molds are able to grow in the brine solution (5). Possible signs of spoilage are:

  • Presence of off-odors
  • Alteration of the color of the brine
  • Mold growth accompanying film-forming
  • Generation of scum
  • Bloating, increased inner pressure

Conclusion:

In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you reuse pickled egg brine” and discussed what are the risks of reusing pickled egg brine and the possible alternatives to reuse pickled egg brine.

Citations:

  1. Little, Linda W., James C. Lamb III, and Louise F. Horney. Characterization and treatment of brine wastewaters from the cucumber pickle industry. Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina, 1976.
  2. Geisman, J. R. Recycling Brines for Cucumber Processing. 1978. Oregon State University. 
  3. Szymczak M, Felisiak K, Szymczak B. Characteristics of herring marinated in reused brines after microfiltration. J Food Sci Technol. 2018, 55, 4395-4405.
  4. Ramana, Kota V., Sanjay Srivastava, and Sharad S. Singhal. Lipid peroxidation products in human health and disease. Oxid med cell longevity, 2013. 
  5. Al-Shawi, Sarmad Ghazi, and Sadiq Jaafir Aziz Alneamah. Cucumber Pickles and Fermentations. Cucumber Economic Values and Its Cultivation and Breeding. IntechOpen, 2021.

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