Publikationsdatenbank

A comparison of eggshell mineral composition between cage and free-range eggs via inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (2020)

Art

Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag

Autoren

Dao, H. T.

Swick, R. A.

Nguyen, T. V.

Hunt, P. W.

Hine, B. C.

Lisle, L.

Ruhnke, I. (WE 15)

Quelle

Animal production science

Bandzählung: 60

Heftzählung: 17

Seiten: 2060 – 2067

ISSN: 1836-0939

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.publish.csiro.au/an/AN19705

DOI: 10.1071/AN19705

Kontakt

Nutztierklinik: Abteilung Geflügel

Königsweg 63
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62676
gefluegelkrankheiten@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Context: In Australia and many other countries, free-range eggs can be sold at significantly higher prices than cage eggs. Mislabelling cage eggs as free-range eggs and vice versa has been documented, and has a significant impact on consumer trust and egg consumption. The development of methods to identify eggs produced from different production systems is necessary to satisfy consumer demand.

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine whether eggshell mineral composition could be used as a way to differentiate eggs originating from each production system. Our hypothesis was that birds with access to soil would have higher levels of trace minerals in shells.

Methods: Eggs were randomly collected from six commercial caged and six commercial free-range flocks in Australia. Twelve eggshell samples from each flock were analysed for mineral composition (Ca, P, Mg, Na, Al, B, Cu, Mn, Fe, K, S and Zn) by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.

Key results: The results showed that free-range eggshells contained significantly higher contents of macro-minerals (P, Mg and Na) but lower contents of micro-minerals (Cu, Fe, K, S and Mn) than the cage eggshells (P < 0.05). For all minerals measured, a high variability was noted within and between production systems.

Conclusions: Analysis of eggshell mineral composition may not be effective for determining the origin of eggs.