• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.254-257
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• 2022

Owing to its excellent nutritional value, eggs are among the most important components of the human diet. Gender and environmental factors, such as feed composition, may alter the nutritional profile and quality of eggs. Feed additives have recently been used to enhance the health and productivity of hens, which has resulted in the production of higher-quality eggs. The fungus Cordyceps militaris, a well-established source of traditional medicines, contains potential bioactive metabolites, which prompted us to examine the effects of C. militaris-supplemented diets on the quality of hens' eggs. The hens of two species (Gallus gallus domesticus and Araucana) were fed with one of three different diets: a control diet and diets supplemented with 2% or 5% of C. militaris. Egg quality was determined by measuring the Haugh Unit, yolk color, and shell thickness. In addition, egg and shell densities together with the ratio of yolk to albumen were calculated. Eggshell thickness and yolk color were both enhanced by the addition of C. militaris, whereas Haugh Unit values were somewhat reduced. Egg size, eggshell weight, and yolk and albumen production were all enhanced by C. militaris supplementation. Notably, in hens fed the 2% C. militaris-supplemented diet, enhancement was more evident in the yolk than in the albumen. The overall quality of the egg yolk was enhanced when 2% C. militaris was added to the hens' diet, which led to increases in both yolk color and quantity. Eggshell thickness and weight were also higher among eggs laid by hens fed the supplemented diets. Although these effects differed depending on the chicken species, we established that, in general, C. militaris contributes to improving egg quality.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2020

In this study, sixteen egg quality traits, including egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, eggshell weight, albumen weight ratio, yolk weight ratio, eggshell weight ratio, yolk color, eggshell color, egg height, egg width, shape index, albumen height, Haugh unit, eggshell thickness, and eggshell strength were investigated in 12 strains of Korean native chicken using 600 eggs from birds at 38 weeks of age. Results showed that the Korean White Leghorn F strain had the highest egg weight of 62.7 g and the lowest (47.5 g) was observed in the Korean native chicken W strain. The Haugh unit was significantly different between strains. The mean Haugh unit for Korean native chicken ranged between 84.2 (L strain) and 76.0 (F strain), with an overall average of 79.9. Eggshells were the thinnest in Korean Rhode Island Red C and D strains (0.342 mm), whereas the highest eggshell thickness (0.393 mm) was observed in the Korean White Leghorn K strain. Korean Rhode Island Red C and D strains had low egg strength compared to that of other strains. Korean Cornish and Korean native chicken showed significant differences in egg quality traits between strains within breeds. Positive correlation coefficients were observed between egg weight and egg quality traits. The traits for color showed zero or low correlations with most egg quality traits. Egg shape index showed no correlation with most egg quality traits. Albumen height and the Haugh unit showed a positive correlation with albumen traits. Eggshell strength showed a positive correlation with eggshell traits.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.296-301
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• 2015

Eggshell-based biocomposites have become attractive due to their exquisite nanostructure and biological properties, which are mainly composed of highly organized calcium carbonate crystals controlled by organic macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides. Here, we designed the recombinant fusion protein of a putative eggshell matrix protein named as GG1234 and a fluorescent reporter protein of DsRed. The protein was successfully over-expressed in E. coli and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. In vitro calcium carbonate crystallization was conducted in the presence of the fusion protein, and morphological change was investigated. The protein inhibited the calcite growth in vitro, and spherical calcium carbonate micro-particles with the diameter of about $20-30{\mu}m$ were obtained. We expect that this study would be helpful for better understanding of eggshell-based biomineralization.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2010

This study investigated the effects of water-soluble calcium supplements manufactured with eggshells and oyster shells on growing rats. The aim was to review the potential use of food wastes as materials for water-soluble calcium supplements as compared to water-soluble calcium supplements made from imported seaweed powder. When experimental animals were administered three types of water-soluble calcium supplements orally for six weeks, the serum calcium level of the seaweed calcium supplement group were significantly higher than that of eggshell or oyster shell-derived calcium, but blood alkali phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and urine crosslink levels were not different in the three types of calcium supplements. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content in spine, femur and tibia also were not significantly different among the groups. However, when considering body weight of each group, bone mineral density and bone mineral content of the femur were significantly higher in the oyster shell calcium supplement group. These results suggest that at least on a short-term basis, the effect of calcium supplements prepared from eggshell and oyster shell are similar to the effects of seaweed calcium supplements.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.684-690
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• 2003

This study has investigated the bioavailability of calcium in eggshell powder (ESP) for the purpose of reutilizing eggshells as the calcium source. The experiment was designed 2 ${\times}$ 2 factorial method with two sources, CaCO$_3$ and ESP, and two levels, 0.2% and 0.4% calcium. Weanling SD rats were assigned randomly to one of 4 groups and provided by one of the isocaloric, 20% casein based 4 different experimental diets for 4weeks. Deionized water was given and environment was kept from any contamination of minerals. The body weight, diet intake, feed efficiency ratio (FER), bone growth, Ca contents of bones, and apparent absorption were measured. FER (0.38 - 0.40) and kidney weight were not different among groups and the weight and length, Ca content, strength of two bones Tibia and Femur were not affected by Ca sources except Femur Ca content. Ca content of Femur was greater in ESP groups than that of CaCO$_3$ groups. The body weight gain, bone growth, the Ca contents and strength of bones were significantly greater in 0.4% calcium groups suggesting 0.2% calcium is not sufficient for the optimum growth in the growing rats. These results indicate that ESP be a proper Ca source comparable or superior to CaCO$_3$. However the apparent absorption rate of final 3 days of feeding did not support the observed results showing lower rate in ESP than CaCO$_3$ groups. Further study be needed in the absorption aspect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.984-989
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• 2004

Three hundred and twelve female Tsaiya ducks from four lines (L1051, L1052, L1053 and L1054) were used in this study to investigate the changes in plasma calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels, blood pH, carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO$_{2}$), bicarbonate ion concentration ($HCO_{3}^{-}$), and base excess (BE) during laying periods. The results indicated that plasma calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentration at 40 and 50 wks of age were higher (p<0.05) than those at other ages. Significant positive correlation coefficients were found between plasma calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels at each age tested from 20 to 50 wks. Ducks from L1053 showed lower (p<0.05) blood pH, BE and $HCO_{3}^{-}$ as compared with other lines. Ducks from L1054 had higher (p<0.05) blood pH, BE and $HCO_{3}^{-}$ than those of other lines showing that there were some differences on blood parameters among lines. Eggshell strength decreased with age up to 65 wks and remained constant thereafter. Egg weight increased gradually from 30 to 60 wks and decreased slightly after 70 wks of age. Plasma inorganic phosphorus level in 40 and 50 wks old birds was positively correlated with eggshell strength, while blood $HCO_{3}^{-}$ in 40 and 50 wks old birds was negatively correlated with eggshell strength.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.112-120
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• 2023

Herein, we propose a facile water-processible method to develop an eggshell membrane (ESM)-embedded waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-based bio-degradable and bio-compatible coating material that exhibits attractive tactile properties. Virgin ESM is not dispersible in water. Hence, to develop the ESM-based WPU composite, soluble ESM (S-ESM) was first extracted by de-crosslinking the ESM. The extracted S-ESM at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt %) was mixed with WPU. Compared to virgin WPU, the viscosity of S-ESM/WPU dispersion and the in-plane coefficient of friction (COF) of the composite film surfaces decreased with an increase in the S-ESM content. In addition, an increase in the S-ESM content improved the tribo-positive characteristics of the film. Different good touch-feeling biomaterials, such as fur, feather, and human skin exhibit tribo-positivity. Thus, the enhanced tribo-positive characteristics of the S-ESM/WPU and the decrease in their COF owing to an increase in the S-ESM content imply the enhancement of its touch-feeling performance. The S-ESM embedded WPU composites have potential applications as coating materials in various fields, including automobile interiors and artificial leather.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1296-1302
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• 2009

Ninety six beak-trimmed 72 week-old Lohmann Brown hens were randomly divided into four equal groups. Each group comprised 4 replicates. Isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets contained low calcium (3.5%); optimum calcium (4.2%); low Ca (3.5% Ca)+1% Clinoptilolite (CLP); low Ca (3.5% Ca)+2% CLP. Data were collected biweekly and the experiment lasted 6 weeks. Egg production, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, tibia Ca, P, ash and eggshell thickness were not affected by addition of CLP to the diets (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in egg shell strength and ash when data were analyzed individually in measurement periods ($74^{th}$, $76^{th}$ and $78^{th}$ weeks). However, according to pooled data ($74^{th}$-$78^{th}$ weeks), eggshell strength was increased (p<0.05) only by 2% CLP supplementation versus low Ca (3.5%) diet, and shell ash was significantly increased by 2% CLP supplementation compared with the other diets. The damaged egg ratio on 1% and 2% CLP diets was significantly decreased between 76-78 weeks'data when compared with the low Ca diet. However; damaged egg ratio on the 2% CLP diet was significantly decreased when pooled data (74-78) were compared with no CLP diets. The differences in marketable egg ratio paralleled damaged egg ratio. The plasma calcium level at the end of experiment was increased on the 2% CLP diet when compared with the low Ca (3.5%) diet (p<0.05). Furthermore, at the end of the experiment a marked decrease of manure moisture was observed on both CLP diets (p<0.01). In conclusion, Clinoptilolite (2%) supplementation to layer diets tends to improve eggshell quality and manure dry matter (1% and 2% CLP) after six weeks.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2010

The 2%, 3% of deer young antler, deer antler, oystershell, crabshell, eggshell were add into the 5%, 10%, 15% solution of glacial acetic acid and vinegar and after incubating it for 4 days at $30^{\circ}C$ respectively, solubility was analyzed. The result shows the difference was minute between glacial acetic acid and vinegar. In the 2% content of deer young antler, solubility was 42~47%, in the 3% content of it, solubility was 41~47%, with the acid concentration becoming higher, solubility increased slightly. In the 2% content of deer antler, solubility was 59~63%, in the 15% content of acid, solubility rather decreased. In the 2% content of oystershell, solubility was 85~96%, in the 3% content, solubility was 95~98%, in the 15% of acid density, it decreased. In the 2% content of crabshell, solubility was 79~88%, in the 3% content, solubility was 81~95%, and in case that acid density was high, solubility increased rather slightly. In the 2% content of eggshell, solubility was 84~96%, in the 3% content, solubility was 84~93%. When young deer antler and deer antler were heated for two hours at $100^{\circ}C$, solubility increased 19~24%, and in the case of crabshell, 10~11% increased. The above result and condition, and the result of pH and acidity don't have much influence on solubility. Thus, the 5% of acidity was enough to melt the 3% of sample. Highest were glacial acetic acid and vinegar in solubility to the various organic acid, and wax gourd vinegar melted the 85% of oystershell, the 78% of crabshell, the 28% of the deer young antler, and in the precipitation was made. Citric acid melted the 57% of deer antler, but it was precipitated with all other samples. Ascorbic acid melted the 92% of eggshell, and did the 37~54% of other samples.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.671-682
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Ca levels and some feed additives such as isoflavone and casein phosphopeptide (CPP) on eggshell quality and hatching egg production in aged egg-type breeder hens. A total of three hundred and sixty, 56-week-old Hy-Line Brown breeder hens were divided into six groups and fed experimental diets of two levels of Ca (3.3% or 3.6%) either with addition of 0.2% isoflavone, 0.5% CPP or devoid of all for 5 weeks. There were no significant differences in laying performances and settable egg production among the groups. Significant increases (P<0.05) in eggshell strength were observed with increasing dietary Ca and addition of isoflavone, but not with addition of CPP. Fertility and hatchability were not influenced by dietary Ca and addition of isoflavone or CPP. The treatment had few significant effects on tibial proximal compositions and breaking strength. The concentrations of Ca, P, estrogen and calcitonin in serum were not affected by the dietary treatments. These results indicated that relatively high level of dietary Ca in combination with isoflavone had a beneficial effect on improving eggshell quality in aged egg-type breeder hens. But hatching egg production was not affected by dietary isoflavone or CPP.