This study aimed to evaluate the mineral composition of different kinds of eggshell, as well as the microbiological safety of samples submitted to different sanitization procedures. To obtain the eggshell powder, the shells were washed, sanitized, oven dried and grinded in a mill. White- and brown-colored eggshells from confined laying hens and eggshells from free-ranged laying hens from the central region of Rio Grande do Sul were compared for their mineral composition. Ca, the predominant mineral in eggshells, remained at similar concentrations in the different samples (approximately 365mg g-1). Eggshells from confined laying hens had higher Mg concentration and lower Sr concentration than the shells from free-ranged laying hens. No significant amounts of Fe, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Al, Cd or Pb were found in the samples. Additionally, both samples that were sanitized by immersion in hypochlorite and subsequently boiled in water as well as samples in which hypochlorite immersion was suppressed did not show coliform, staphylococcus or salmonella contamination. The results indicate that eggshell can be used in human nutrition since it is rich Ca source, shows no contamination by toxic metals and has good sanitary quality when properly processed
eggshells; calcium; minerals; toxic metals; sanitary quality
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