Question

what are some businesses that may be interested in the calcium carbonate content of eggs? (hint: What function does the egg shell serve?)

Answer 1

Since ancient times fertile eggs, unfertilized eggs and chicken embryo eggs have been used by humanity as food and also in the treatment of diseases. We must take into account that eggs were not created for human being feed, but generating a new life, therefore, that is the reason why they are so complete and nutritive food.

The egg shell has the mainly function to protect the chicken embryo acting as physical barrier for inhibiting microorganisms invasion and it also selects gaseous changes.

According to Thapon and Bourgeois, 1994 shell is approximately 11% of the total weight of the egg and it presents contents of: calcium carbonate (94%), calcium phosphate (1%), magnesium carbonate (1%) and organic substances (4%). So, egg shell is a rich source of mineral salts, mainly calcium carbonate. Unfortunately, egg shell is an eggproduct industry residue.

Calcium carbonate, a pharmaceutical excipient, is mainly used as diluent in solid dosage forms. It is also used as a base for medicinal and dental preparations, buffering and dissolution aid in dispersible tablets, as well as food additive and calcium supplement.

Nowadays, there is a great interest in finding new pure calcium carbonate sources. Calcium carbonate obtained from bones flour, does not contain the same bioavailability of calcium obtained from synthetic sources. Calcium carbonate from oyster shells contains lead vestige among the others potential toxical elements such as aluminum, cadmium and mercury. In the other hand, egg shell has an advantage for not containing toxical elements.